Wildflowers are best germinated in the cool winter months to be ready to burst forth into bloom come spring. Make use of packs of spring wildflowers that can be grown together, and don’t forget to plant some favorites to grow alongside them for a wildflower meadow garden brimming with life and color. Let’s get into the details of some of these wonders of nature.
Seeds Featured In This Article
Apricotta Cosmos
Columbine
McKana Giants Blend Seeds
Coreopsis
1. Poppies
All types of poppies are a pleasure to grow in a garden, and they’re so easy to start from seed. Many types deserve mention: showy Iceland poppies in shades of yellow, orange, and white are bee magnets; the iconic Flanders poppy, also known as corn poppy, with bright red petals and black centers is grown for remembrance; and native California poppies which are quite different to the others, with masses of dramatic orange, yellow and red flowers.
Poppies are tender perennials usually grown as annuals for hardiness zones 4-8. They grow in full sun and partial shade, are drought-resistant, and make excellent cut flowers.
2. Cosmos
A native of Mexico and Arizona, the cosmos are flowy wildflowers that have morphed into so much more and in the craziest colors. Try ‘Rubenza’ for a rich red color, ‘Apricotta’ for apricot-pink blooms, and ‘Diablo’ for a mix of yellows and oranges.
These hardy, drought-tolerant annuals have tall stems (around 24-32 inches) that are perfect for displaying in vases, and they attract loads of pollinators and hummingbirds.
3. Penstemons
There are plenty of varieties of penstemons to grow for a wildflower garden. Still, one that has an heirloom title, tall blue-violet spikes of flowers, and an excellent long-living perennial is ‘Rocky Mountain Blue’.
This penstemon is an easy-to-grow, very hardy plant for both full sun and partial shade, with spikes of flowers reaching 24-36 inches tall. The tubular flowers attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies, and they are also drought- and heat-tolerant. A good all-rounder.
4. Yarrow
This member of the daisy family was first grown as a rather plain-looking herb, and then the colors came out, exploding yarrow into popularity. They can be grown almost anywhere. Every type has feathery foliage with clusters of bright flowers on the tops of tall stems in red, pink, rose, yellow, and white, and all sorts of shades in between.
Insects love them (the good kind), and they make a hardy, low-maintenance, drought-tolerant grouping that will be abuzz with life and ready for picking.
5. Columbines
Aquilegia spp are beautiful perennial flowering plants that have rather unusual flowers in blue, pink, purple, maroon, and various bi-colors. They don’t mind a bit of shade in USDA zones 3-9 and add uniqueness to a wild garden.
There are some varieties, like the ‘McKana Giants’, bred from North American natives with flowers as wide as three inches on tall stems 24-26 inches tall. Like many of the wildflowers on this list, they attract hummingbirds and other pollinators, and they are good cut flowers.
6. Coreopsis
Coreopsis is also known as tickseed because the seeds resemble ticks. There are many varieties native to North America that are known to be easy to grow and low-maintenance, with lovely daisy-like flowers in all mainly yellow and bi-color versions, too.
The masses of flowers attract bees and butterflies, and most will grow through hardiness zones 4-9. Coreopsis are very rewarding plants to grow from seed, often reseeding themselves at the end of the season.
7. Coneflowers
This list would not be complete without the native coneflower (Echinacea). The lovely pink flowers reveal dark brown cones as they mature, which the birds love. This is a long-lived, drought-tolerant perennial that grows as an annual in warm regions.
New varieties are available, expanding the color options you can find. They are sure to brighten up any garden and certainly deserve a spot in a wildflower garden.
8. Wallflowers
Erysimum cheiri, or Siberian wallflower, is a very hardy biennial or short-lived perennial that has clusters of very striking orange flowers in spring. Its name suggests otherwise, but many types of wallflower are native to North America. You can grow them easily from seed.
These peppy flowers often come in prairie mixes of seed. They grow to around 12 – 18 inches tall and cope with many soil types as long as it’s well-draining. They make very good cut flowers and also attract pollinators into the garden.
9. Lupines
The state flower of Texas, bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis), is found extensively in meadows of the south but is also available in seed form for planting in wildflower gardens for a massive royal blue showing in spring. It’s a butterfly host plant and attracts other insects. It also self-seeds for yearly pleasure.
There are other lupines available, like the ‘Russell’ Blend, with distinctive flower stalks in many different colors for a stunning display. They also have the cutest star-shaped dark green leaves, which are unique for a wildflower.
10. Clarkia
With a common name like Farewell to Spring, it might be logical to conclude that this happy daisy flower blooms at the end of spring when most are starting to fade away. But that is not the case. These are very easy-going plants, ready to self-seed at the end of their flowering time, which can go right into autumn in the right conditions. This makes them very long-lasting and lovely cut flowers.
Most are native to western North America, where you can see them growing in crowded clusters in colors ranging from pink, purple, and white. They are heat-tolerant and can also be grown in salty coastal areas.
11. California Bluebells
For its delightful bright blue flowers, drought and frost tolerance, and ability to grow in full sun and partial shade, you can’t beat California bluebells (Phacelia campanularia), also known as desert bluebells.
It’s a member of the borage family, which is full of plants that are known to attract bees and bumblebees like this plant does. They are very low maintenance and disease- and pest-free plants that are easy to grow from seed straight into a wildflower garden.
12. Larkspur
Tall flowers stand out from the crowd, and when they produce long spikes of blue flowers, even better. If you sow something like ‘Galilee Blend’, you can get towering spikes (3-4 feet) in colors that include white, pink, salmon, and red. Larkspurs make excellent cut flowers blooming in late spring and early summer.
To get the best from them, grow them in moist, well-draining soil and feed them weekly. They may need to be staked to support the beautiful shoots of blooms.
13. Butterfly Milkweed
Asclepias tuberosa is a good perennial to grow from seed because it attracts monarch butterflies in droves. As a native wildflower, it grows in poor soil and is drought-tolerant once established with pretty clusters of orange flowers.
Other varieties of milkweeds have pink, blue, and yellow flowers that also deserve a mention for being important butterfly plants. All these can be grown from seed for the garden and in containers, and they make great cut flowers.
14. Blanket Flower
Gaillardia is known for its big bright bi-color blooms in yellow and bright red. The flowers bloom for over eight weeks if they are deadheaded regularly. Blanket flower is its common name given because of the colors used in the traditional weaving of blankets.
Once the flowers are spent, they attract birds with their seed heads. When in flower, they attract many pollinators. They are neat and attractive perennials to grow in any space in the garden but wonderful in a wild garden.
15. Evening Primrose
This is a bushy plant that grows well in any type of soil and carries bright yellow flowers, with some species flowering white or pink. It’s a good wildflower plant because it’s unfussy and attracts bees and butterflies during the day and moths and bats at night for a more diverse garden. Oenothera biennis is known for its medicinal properties, and it is used commercially for treating skin problems.
Remove flowers to increase blooming, but leave some on the plant at the end of the season to self-seed.
16. Lacy Phacelia
Phacelia Tanacetifolia has the prettiest lilac flowers with dark purple spiky stamens that curl outwards, forming really unusual blooms. They grow well from seed and are often used as a cover crop in full sun, where they invite bees and butterflies to feast. This low-maintenance native annual grows to around 26 inches tall and is easy to grow from seed.
17. Baby Blue Eyes
For a true-blue wildflower, baby blue eyes are a good spring planting with cup-shaped blooms that are blue with white in the center. Botanically, it’s called Nemophila menziesii, and it’s a low, spreading plant that grows up to 12 inches high.
Plant lots of them in a wild garden for one of the earliest displays of color in spring. They are native to California and some other arid zones, so you know they are tough and low maintenance. They prefer cooler temperatures and don’t like much humidity.
18. Black-Eyed Susan
The reliable Rudbeckia hirta is the ultimate in bright yellow daisy flowers. This is a native plant that can easily be grown by seed and is considered a short-lived perennial. That’s because it lasts only three years. But it’s able to self-seed should you leave some of the flowers on the plant to go to seed at the end of the blooming season.
Rudbeckias like full sun, and to be planted in good soil with average water to open their sunny flowers for the bees to enjoy. Look for varieties like ‘Indian Summer’ for even brighter yellow flowers or ‘Cherokee Sunset‘ for bright orange doubles.
19. Sunflower
The sheer volume in the varieties of sunflowers available means that you can grow them anywhere. There are compact dwarf varieties that don’t need much space and taller, impressive varieties that do. Some of the new colors you get besides the common yellow are so gorgeous; they are must-haves for any wildflower garden.
Colors from dark red, orange, bicolor, and light vanilla yellow are all winners. These annuals are easy to grow from seed and are edible, too. The petals are used in salads, and the seeds are a good healthy snack. They are excellent cut flowers and good for pollinators in the garden.
20. Rose Verbena
The wild verbena native to the central and eastern parts of North America is a pretty plant. It has lovely pink to purple clusters of blooms that look good in a wildflower garden or planted in containers. These plants prefer full sun and well-draining soil with average watering.
The low-growing beauties add interest to the garden and can be used as ground cover plants. They are considered an annual in colder regions and a perennial that self-seeds in warmer climates. Glandularia canadensis is known to be low maintenance and fairly drought-resistant.
21. Wild Geranium
For full sun to partial shade, wild geranium (Geranium maculatum) is a good plant to have in a wildflower garden for many reasons. It’s an herbaceous perennial with pretty mauve open flowers and large green leaves. These form clumps in the wild and have been used for centuries for their medicinal qualities.
They are magnets for a variety of important bee species. Plant in rich soil with plenty of water, and they provide a massive showing in spring. There are some white, blue, and pink flowering varieties, and they can all be grown from seed easily.
22. Phlox
Local phlox varieties are annuals that flower in clusters on stems 18-20 inches tall. They come in colors ranging from white, mauve, rose, pink, purple, blue, and red, depending on the variety. These grow in full sun and partial shade and are quick to flower in just six to seven weeks after sowing seed.
They make very good cut flowers, and they are a pretty display in the garden planted in rich, well-draining soil with regular water. There are several types of phlox, some of which are native to North America. They come in low-growing types for ground covers, medium-sized plants as bedding plants, and the showy, taller varieties that combine well with other wildflowers.
23. Bachelor’s Buttons
Centaurea cyanus, also known as cornflowers, are graceful wildflowers that practically grow themselves. The frilly petals of the daisy-like blooms come in some great colors, depending on which variety you choose. Some examples include ‘Blue Boy‘ in a lovely sky blue or, on the other end of the scale, ‘Black Magic’ with rich burgundy black blooms that stand out amongst other flowers.
The flowers are edible and often used for brightening up salads and puddings. They are also good for displaying in vases and can be dried with good results. They prefer full sun and also, as an annual, will self-seed.
24. Blue Flax
This is another blue-flowering perennial that can be grown from seed with flowers atop stems that reach 18-30 inches tall. They are airy and graceful, with blooms that only last a day but are quickly replaced the next day.
These tough plants have good characteristics, including being heat tolerant, able to withstand humidity, and cold-tolerant. Plant them in both full sun and partial shade in poor soils with a minimum of water. They attract birds and other pollinators, making these pretty plants an all-round winner.
25. Anemones
There are many varieties of anemones that are grown across the world, some native to the Americas. They produce lovely, large flowers with velvety centers in various color combinations on tall stems that reach 1-5 feet tall. Anemones grow best in rich, fertile soil with constant watering as long as the soil drains well. They can be planted in full sun or partial shade, making them a favorite woodland plant with other wildflowers.
Over time, they form thick clumps. Planting from seed may only produce flowers in the second or third year, but once you have them, you won’t be disappointed. They are well worth the effort.
26. Shasta Daisy
I confess that Shasta daisies are one of my favorite plants for their clumps of foliage and beautiful big white daisy flowers. They are perennials that flower each year and attract a host of pollinators to the garden.
The flowers are long-lasting in a vase and on the plants. These are just really happy, sunny plants. Plant in full sun in the garden in Zones 5-9. A classic!
27. Hollyhocks
Tall and majestic hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) are making a comeback in wildflower gardens because they are special biennials for full sun. The showy flower stems can be five to eight feet tall in ideal conditions. They prefer rich soil with plenty of added compost, slow-release fertilizer, and lots of water when growing, although once established, they are drought tolerant.
The large flowers set up on the stems are available in a range of beautiful colors. ‘Indian Spring’ is a good variety to grow from seed and is an All-American Selections winner.
28. Forget-me-not
Woodland plants that like the shade, forget-me-nots (Myosotis sp), can brighten up any area as long as they get lots of water. The original variety is blue and has a reputation for being invasive in some areas, especially near bodies of water.
You can trust the hybrid seed varieties to provide pretty, eye-catching, star-shaped flowers in early spring, like ‘Victoria Pink’ with its bright pink flowers. These are one of the first flowers to bloom in spring, announcing the coming of a new season. The flowers are also a symbol of remembrance.
29. Cottage Pinks
You may know that Dianthus plumarius is a variety of pinks that come in a rainbow of flowering colors with a sweet fragrance. These are irresistible to humans, butterflies, and bees. The flowers have lacy, spidery-shaped petals that are a perfect contrast to other bolder flowers. They form clumps of evergreen mounds that make an excellent ground cover.
Plant in full sun or partial shade in well-draining soil. They like water, but let them dry out between watering and deadhead regularly to encourage new flowers. They are good in wild gardens, in containers with other plants, and in perennial borders to interest.
30. Lobelia
Lobelia erinus is a plant that is full of flowers, often in shades of pale and bright blue but also in pink and red. They flower in spring and are low-growing (4-6 inches), forming mounds. They also make good container plants to trail over the sides.
‘Crystal Palace’ is a Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit winner, available in seed form for startling blue flowers and bronze-tipped foliage. Plant in full sun or partial shade in rich soil that is kept watered.
31. Snapdragon
Antirrhinum majus is a wonderfully colorful plant that comes in tall and short versions. These have a lovely spicy fragrance and attract many pollinators in the garden. The prized cut flowers may look kind of feeble when you cut them, but once in water they perk up and stand up to face the light.
The iconic dragon mouth flowers are long-lasting in the garden in ideal conditions, which include full sun and rich loamy soil with plenty of compost added at the seed sowing stage. They enjoy plenty of water but will not do badly with a little drying out in between. Avoid watering the flowers and rather water the soil to prevent fungal diseases. There is a type of snapdragon for every part of the garden.
Final Thoughts
Wildflowers, with their easy-breezy natures and rainbow colors, are an instant pick-me-up in the garden. This year, consider filling your garden with cheerful blooms that will bring joy to you and the pollinators alike!
