Wildflower gardens are considered a low-cost alternative to high-maintenance gardens that also benefit pollinators.
Although they will grow wild on their own, they are not necessarily native plants.
Some wildflowers that tolerate some shade include, black-eyed Susan(Rudbeckia spp.
The Spruce / Heidi Kolsky
Remove Existing Weeds
Weeds are a successful wildflower garden’s biggest threat.
During germination, wildflowers need lots of water to sprout into seedlings.
Their roots will now be long enough to absorb groundwater.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
If you live in a hot, arid climate, you might need to water once per day.
Otherwise, semi-frequent rain might be enough to maintain your wildflowers.
Remove Weeds
Weedingshould be minimal at first, but weeds will try and invade.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
As the wildflowers grow dense, minimal weeding will be required.
you could do this by hand as not to disturb your plantings.
About 25 pounds of grass seed per acre would do.
The Spruce / Heidi Kolsky
Overseed
Can a wildflower garden become established and continue to self-sow, without becoming too invasive?
Mow in the Fall
Mowing is a major maintenance chore.
If your area is too large to chop by hand, mow with your lawnmower’s highest setting.
The Spruce / Heidi Kolsky
Though, early spring is also an option.
Perennial wildflowers will grow back each year, while annual wildflowers only live for one year.
They are also fairly prone to weeds.
The Spruce / Colleen & Shannon Graham
University of Vermont Extension.
Jeff Greenberg / Getty Images
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
