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Wildflowers in Colorado – 7.233   arrow

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by J.E. Klett, R.A. Cox, I. Shonle and L.G. Vickerman* (12/20)

Quick Facts…

  • Wildflower plantings have a different appearance throughout the growing season.
  • Commercial seed mixes are developed to show variation in height, bloom color and time.
  • Choose a wildflower seed mix adapted to your site conditions.
  • The best site for wildflowers has well-drained and aerated soil.
  • Control weeds prior to seeding wildflowers.
  • Mid to late fall is a good time to sow seeds.
  • Water as needed for germination and maintenance.
  • The term “wildflower” does not necessarily mean a native flower..

Wildflowers

Wildflowers are ideal for a natural, less formal garden. A planting of wildflowers provides a changing palette of color. The word “wildflower” does not necessarily mean that a plant is native to our area. Rather, it refers to an overall look or feel of an informal planting. Many plants in wildflower seed mixes are not native to Colorado, although native mixes are available.

A wildflower planting provides change throughout the growing season as different plants in the mix come into bloom. Due to varying characteristics of plants in a wildflower mix, the appearance of the planting may differ from year to year in response to weather conditions.

Because some wildflowers can be aggressive, the diversity of a wildflower planting may be lost over time. Their aggressiveness can be compounded by site conditions. Some invasive species are now classified as Noxious Weeds by the State of Colorado. See Table 4.

The type of wildflower seed mix chosen depends on site conditions and the desired effect. Consider modeling wildflower plantings after surrounding native-plant communities or use wildflowers to provide bold splashes of color. Commercial seed mixes may be formulated using a variety of plants with different heights, colors and bloom times.

Usually, a mix of self-seeding annuals, biennials and perennials will provide the quickest results and longest bloom season. Wildflower mixes also may contain some grass species, which can fill in spaces around flowers, add texture and color contrast, and provide support and protection to wildflowers. Grasses also can reduce soil erosion and enhance wildlife habitat. See Table 2.

Seed companies often formulate their mixes for different site conditions. Choose a mix suitable for specific site conditions, such as dry, hot, south exposures; cooler, shaded, north and east exposures; moist meadows; or higher elevations. Most wildflowers grow best on well-drained, well-aerated soils.

Site Preparation and Weed Control

On sites with poor or compacted soil or extensive weed populations, considerable soil preparation and weed control are necessary before planting. Before sowing seed, lightly cultivate or break the soil with a rake prior to sowing. If the soil is compacted or heavy clay, incorporate organic matter, such as compost or sphagnum peat moss, into the top 6 inches. Three cubic yards of organic matter per 1,000 square feet, or about enough to cover soil 1 inch deep, generally is sufficient.

Wildflower

Tilling the soil will increase weed seed germination, as new seeds are brought to the surface.

Eliminating weeds prior to planting wildflowers is easier and less expensive than identifying and controlling them in newly seeded sites.

After incorporating organic matter, water the area to germinate any existing weed seeds. Pull, hoe, or spray these weed seedlings with an appropriate herbicide. As with any pesticide, read and follow label directions. Remove dead weed debris prior to planting wildflowers. The number of times needed to repeat this water/spray process depends on the degree of weed infestation and types of weeds prevalent. It may take up to a year to control weeds before planting wildflowers.

Consider terracing steep slopes or use jute mats on the soil surface to help establish wildflowers.

Seeding

Mid to late fall is a good time to sow wildflower seed because subsequent winter cold and snow (moisture) will promote seed germination the following spring. If sowing in spring or summer, check with the seed company if they have pre-treated (stratified)the perennial seeds.

Water in the spring to germinate seeds if winter moisture is insufficient. For spring or summer seeding, water to germinate seeds if rains are insufficient. Seedlings emerging in late summer may not become well established and may be killed by fall frosts.

Follow recommended seeding rate on seed packet. Exceeding recommended seeding rates may result in poor stands. For an even distribution of wildflower seed, mix six parts dry sand with one part seed.

For small areas, spread the mix by hand, lightly rake the seed in and tamp the soil with your feet to ensure good seed contact with soil. On larger areas, use a cyclone-type fertilizer/seed spreader followed by pulling a section of chain-link fence behind a tractor. To ensure good soil contact, use a sod roller to press in the seeds. Another option for large areas is to have it hydro-seeded.

Maintenance

After wildflowers are established, pull or spot spray weeds as soon as they can be identified and before they set seed. During extended dry spells, supplemental water helps wildflowers look their best. If initial soil preparation was done, little if any fertilizer is required. If fertilizer is necessary, use a mild, balanced fertilizer. After plants brown from killing frost, mow wildflower areas to distribute seeds set by plants.

Cut stalks to 4 to 6 inches and leave clippings on the ground. Another option is to leave them in place all winter, and trim back in the spring. In the second and succeeding years, the appearance of the wildflower planting may differ due to bloom of biennial and perennial species. Additional seeding can be beneficial if the wildflower stand is not satisfactory or plant growth was spotty or poor.

Table 1: Native wildflowers most commonly available in seed mixes.
Plant
Name
Typea Flower Color Exposureb Moisturec Season of Bloomd
Achillea millefolium* spp.
Yarrow (white)
P White S D-M SU
Artemisia spp.
Sage
P Gray foliage S D
Aquilegia spp.
Columbine
P Yellow, red, blue S/PS M SP/SU
Cleome serrulata
Rocky Mtn. Bee Plant
A Pink S D SU/F
Coreopsis tinctoria
Coreopsis (plains)e
A Yellow/maroon S/PS D SU/F
Epilobium angustifolium (Chamerion)
Fireweede
P Pink S/PS D-M SU
Eriogonum umbellatum
Sulfur flower
P Yellow S D-M SU
Erigeron speciosus
Showy daisy, fleabane
P Violet S/PS D-M SP/SU
Erysimum spp.
Wallflower
P/B Yellow, orange S/PS D-M SP/SU
Eustoma grandiflorum
Prairie gentian
TP Blue/purple S M SU/F
Gaillardia aristata
Gaillardia (perennial),
blanket flower
P Yellow/red S D SU
Ipomopsis aggregata
Scarlet gilia
B Red S/PS D-M SU
Liatris punctata
Spotted (dwarf) gayfeather
P Purple S D SU
Linum lewisii
Flax (blue)
P Blue S D or M SP/SU
Machaeranthera spp.
Tansy Aster
A/B Purple S/PS D SU/F
Monarda fistulosa
Pink bergamot, beebalm
P Pink S D-M SU
Oenothera caespitosa
White evening primrose
P White S D SU/F
Penstemon spp.
Penstemon, beard tongue
P Varies S D SU
Penstemon strictus
Penstemon (Rocky Mountain)
P Blue S/PS D SU
Pulsatilla patens
Pasque flower
P Purple S/PS D SP
Ratibida columnifera
Mexican hat,
prairie coneflower
B/P Yellow/red S/PS D SU
Rudbeckia hirta
Black-eyed Susane
A/P Yellow S/PS D-M SU/F
Thermopsis montana
Golden banner, false lupine
P Gold S D-M SP/SU
Viguiera multiflora
Showy goldeneye
P Yellow S/PS D or M SU/F
a Type: A = Annual, B = Biennial, P = Perennial, TP = Tender Perennial
b Exposure: S = sun, PS = partial shade, SH = shade
c Soil moisture preference: D = dry, M = moist (needs supplementalirrigation)
d Season of bloom: SP = spring, SU = summer, F = fall
e Very aggressive, may eventually dominate planting
* Horticultural varieties of yarrow are selections of A. millefolium or hybrids of several different
Achillea species.
Table 2: Native grasses suitable for wildflower plantings.
Plant Name Exposurea Moistureb Season of Bloomc
Oryzopsis hymenoides
Indian rice grass
S D SU
Bouteloua gracilis
Blue grama, eyelash grass
S/PS D SU
Festuca arizonica
Arizona fescue
S/PS D-M SP/SP
Koeleria macrantha
June grass
S/PS D-M SU
Schizachyrium scoparium (Andropogon scoparius)
Little bluestem
S D SU/F
aExposure: S = sun, PS = partial shade, SH = shade
bSoil moisture preference: D = dry, M = moist (needs supplemental irrigation)
cSeason of bloom: SP = spring, SU = summer, F = fall
Table 3: Non-native wildflowers most commonly available in seed mixes.
Plant Name Typea Flower Color Exposureb Moisturec Season of Bloomd
Aster novae-angliae
Aster (New England)
P Violet S/PS D-M F
Achillea millefolium
Yarrow (white)
P Blue S D-M SU
Campanula carpatica
Carpathian harebell
P Blue S/PS M SU
Centaurea cyanus
Cornflowere
A Blue S/PS D SU
Clarkia unguiculata
Clarkia
A Pink, lavender S D-M SP/SU
Consolida ambigua
(Delphinium consolida)

Larkspurf
A White, pink, violet, blue S/PS M SU
Coreopsis lanceolata
Coreopsis (lanceleaf)e
P Yellow S/PS D-M SU/F
Cosmos bipinnatus
Cosmose
A Pink, red, white S/PS D SU/F
Dianthus barbatus
Sweet William
B/P Pink, red, white S/PS D-M SU
Dimorphotheca aurantiaca
African daisy
A White, orange S D SU/F
Echinacea angustifolia
Narrowleaf Coneflower
P Pink S D-M SU
Echinacea purpurea
Purple coneflower
P Purple S/PS D-M SU
Eschscholzia californica
California poppye
TP Yellow/orange S D SP/SU
Gaillardia pulchella
Firewheel
A Yellow/red S D SU
Gypsophila elegans
Showy baby’s breathe
A White S/PS D SU
Iberis umbellata
Candytuft
A Pink, white S/PS D-M SU
Leucanthemum x superbum (Chrysanthemum x superbum)
Shasta daisy
P White S/PS M SU
Linaria maroccana
Snapdragon (spurred)
A Pink, yellow, violet S/PS D SP/SU
Linum grandiflorum rubrum
Flax (scarlet)
A Scarlet S/PS D-M SU
Linum perenne
European blue flaxe
P Blue S/PS D-M SP/SU
Lobularia maritima
Sweet alyssume
TP White, lavender S/PS D-M SP/SU
Lupinus spp.
Lupinef
A/P Blue, pink, red S/PS D-M SP/SU
Myosotis sylvatica
Forget-me-note
A Blue PS M SP/SU
Oenothera missouriensis
Ozark sundrop
P Yellow S/PS D SU
Papaver rhoeas
Poppy (corn), Shirley poppy
A White, pink, red S/PS D SU
Phacelia campanularia
California bluebell
A Blue S D SP/SU
Silene armeria
Catchfly
A/B Pink S/PS D SU
Solidago rigida
Goldenrod
P Gold S D-M SU/F
Viola spp.
Johnny jump-up
P Purple/yellow S/PS M SP/SU/F
aType: A = Annual, B = Biennial, P = Perennial, TP = Tender Perennial
bExposure: S = sun, PS = partial shade, SH = shade
cSoil moisture preference: D = dry, M = moist (needs supplemental irrigation)
dSeason of bloom: SP = spring, SU = summer, F = fall
eVery aggressive, may eventually dominate planting
fToxic to grazing livestock
Table 4: Avoid seed mixes containing these noxious weeds.
Plant Name Typea Flower Color Season of Bloomb
Cichorium intybus
Chichory
P Blue SP/SU
Hesperis matronalis
Dames’ rocket
P Violet SP/SU
Leucanthemum vulgare(Chrysanthemum leucanthemum)
Oxeye daisy
P White SU
Linaria vulgaris
Yellow toadflax
P Yellow SU
aType: A = Annual, B = Biennial, P = Perennial, TP = Tender Perennial
b Season of bloom: SP = spring, SU = summer, F = fall

*J.E. Klett, Colorado State University Extension horticulture specialist and professor, department of horticulture and landscape architecture; R.A. Cox, Extension horticulture agent, Arapahoe County; I. Shonle, director, Extension, Gilpin County; and L.G. Vickerman, former Extension horticulture agent, El Paso County, contributed to earlier versions of this fact sheet. 5/96. Revised 12/20.

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