“Bloom where you are planted” is a beautiful sentiment, meant to encourage people to make the most of their situation — but why not take it more literally? With the spring equinox arriving March 20, rainfall and warmer temps are right around the corner, meaning now is the perfect time to turn a drab patch of lawn into a vibrant garden of wildflowers.
You don’t have to have a green thumb to make it happen. As you may imagine of a, well, wild collection of flowers, these colorful plants are fairly low-maintenance to grow and even less cumbersome to maintain. And planting them is a fun and affordable way to beautify a bit of your lawn if you’re ballin’ on a budget.
Plus, there’s science-backed evidence that adding colorful flowers to your life can lead to more joy. One study found that looking at certain buds for just three minutes yielded strong, positive impacts on participants’ well-being, while another suggested that flowers engage our senses and elicit positive emotions. And of course, there’s plenty of anecdotal evidence that bright colors can help spread happiness.
But beyond cultivating a bright spot on your lawn, there are a few more good reasons to grow a garden of wildflowers.
Pretty With a Purpose
Wildflowers aren’t just pretty things to look at — they’re what the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy calls “the backbone of ecosystems for pollinators” (such as bees, butterflies, birds, and small mammals). The critters depend on flowers for food, and in return, distribute pollen to help a wide variety of plants reproduce. In fact, the U.S. Department of the Interior says that more than 150 kinds of U.S. crops rely on pollinators.
While a plethora of flowers make tasty meals for these creatures, wildflowers can be especially effective at drawing in pollinators. For one, they’re bright and colorful, which the little guys love. But also, since they include such a wide variety of flower species, a patch of wildflowers is more likely to contain at least one type that can attract a specific pollinator — and some flowers have even evolved their features to appeal to their target.
“The greater diversity of plants that you have, the more robust the habitat is for a variety of pollinators and wildlife,” Clay Bolt, manager of pollinator conservation and Great Plains communications for the World Wildlife Fund, told National Geographic.
These stems also provide some environmental benefits that may be less visible. Grassland soil can retain as much carbon as woodland, leading Bolt to compare it to an upside-down forest — and wildflowers’ root systems thrive in this environment, digging deep into the soil to store carbon, water, and nutrients.
What does this mean for you, a potential wildflower cultivator? Not only are you helping your local ecosystem by planting these beauties, but when you purchase native seeds, they typically easily adapt to their environment — meaning less work for you.
4 Things to Consider When Planting Wildflowers
If you’re convinced to liven up your backyard (or balcony) this spring, here are four guidelines to keep in mind.
Start With Sun
Wildflowers love the sun, so take that into consideration when choosing your planting site. Ideally, you’ll want an area that receives a minimum of six hours of sun per day. If you’re starting in your yard, you’ll also want a spot with good soil drainage that’s at least 400 square feet. (See below for tips on growing wildflowers indoors.)
And if you’re hoping to attract as many pollinators as possible, leave room for them to come and go undisturbed. To encourage bees to hang around your garden, you can even make or buy bee boxes and install them nearby. (We also love these pretty glass bee drinking balls to give the buzzers sips of water.)
Use Only the Seed You Need
It’s important to use the right amount of seed when starting your wildflower field. If you overdo it, your plants will be less likely to flower — but if you underdo it, you’ll get a patchy garden. In general, it’s best to follow the recommendations on your seed package, although there are resources to help you figure out the right amount.
Also, for maximum environmental benefits, choose seeds that are native to your environment. According to the Conservancy, native wildflowers are four times more attractive to pollinators than non-natives. And per Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, 90% of native insects are only able to consume plants that they’ve co-evolved with.
Another tip: Sow your seeds in spring or fall for best results. It’s possible to plant wildflowers in the summer as well, but trickier since prolonged heat can dry out your soil and seedlings.
Nurture Your Wild Blooms
As we mentioned, wildflowers aren’t exactly a high-maintenance plant. But while your seedlings are growing (a timeframe of up to six weeks), you’ll usually want to water them lightly every day. After that, they should be able to absorb groundwater through their roots all on their own. If you’re going for a perennial meadow, you may need to repeat this process for a few years until your garden becomes more self-sufficient.
Feel free to pull weeds as they come in, but you may want to let them grow in a bit first, as it’s easy to mistake young wildflowers for these pesky plants. Suggestion: Do a thorough weeding before you sow your seeds.
No Lawn? No Problem
It’s possible for wildflowers to thrive in window boxes or indoor pots, where they’ll brighten up your space all the same. And you’re not completely out of luck if you want to attract pollinators — simply place your container next to an open window, or on a patio or balcony, for any buzzy passersby.
You’ll still want to make sure your designated area gets at least six hours of sunlight a day, and look occasionally for weeds or small sprouts. Check out more tips on how to grow wildflowers sans yard.
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