FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ABOUT WILDFLOWERS
- WHAT IS AN ANNUAL, PERENNIAL, AND BIENNIAL?
- WHEN SHOULD I PLANT?
- DO I HAVE TO WATER MY WILDFLOWERS?
- WILL MY WILDFLOWERS COME BACK?
- HOW DO I ALLOW MY WILDFLOWERS TO RESEED?
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WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST COMMON MISTAKES PEOPLE MAKE WHEN PLANTING WILDFLOWERS?
WHAT IS ANNUAL, PERENNIAL, AND BIENNIAL?
Annuals are plants that perform their entire life cycle - seed to flower to seed - within a single growing season. All roots, stems and leaves of the plant die annually. Only the dormant seed bridges the gap between one generation and the next.
Perennials are plants that grow persistently for many seasons. Generally the top portion of the plant dies back each fall and regrows the following spring from the same root system (e.g. Purple Coneflower). When starting perennial plants from seed, blooms will be observed in either the spring or summer of the second year and each year thereafter.
Biennials are plants that require two years to complete their life cycle. First season growth results in a small set of leaves near the soil’s surface. During the second season's growth, a stem will appear, the plant will flower and seed will form. This is followed by the entire plant's death.
Note: A plant can behave as an annual or a perennial depending on local climatic and geographic growing conditions. In the southern portion of the United States, wildflower plants tend to grow much quicker than in the north due to the warmer weather and extended growing season.
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WHEN SHOULD I PLANT?
Wildflower planting dates depend mostly on site location and geographic weather patterns. The planting timetable should be decided by seasonal precipitation in your area, rather than by temperature. Wildflowers can be planted in the spring or fall throughout all regions of the state of Iowa.
SPRING SOWING
Iowa is geographically located in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Zones 4 and 5. To see a copy of the USDA Plant Hardiness Map CLICK HERE. In Iowa residents experience extremely harsh winters. Therefore, a late spring planting is recommended in this region sometime between April 15 and June 15.
There are risks, however, associated with a spring planting. Warm spring weather and adequate rainfall will accelerate germination and seedling growth. However, if rainfall is sporadic after initial germination, followed by an extremely hot, dry period, supplemental watering may be required to keep the ground from drying out and the seedlings from dying.
FALL SOWING
In Iowa wildflowers can also be planted in late fall between September 1 and October 15. If you decide to plant your seeds in the fall, the seed will remain dormant during the harsh winter months and germination will begin at the first indication of spring.
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DO I HAVE TO WATER MY WILDFLOWERS?
Your wildflower seeds will require enough moisture to germinate and develop into healthy seedlings. For best results, the area should be kept moist for four to six weeks during the establishment period. If natural rainfall is inadequate, supplemental watering with a garden hose may be necessary. Light and frequent applications of water should be applied to keep the ground moist. Once your wildflowers begin to germinate do not allow the site to completely dry out, but avoid over-watering the area. If the soil becomes overly saturated, the seedlings could die from the lack of oxygen supplied to the root system.
How frequently you water your newly planted area will depend on local rainfall and soil types. You may need to water every couple of days. After your seedlings are 1 to 2 inches in height, watering should be gradually reduced and applied only if the plants show signs of stress.
On larger projects that cannot be irrigated, plant in the fall or early spring during the months when rainfall is usually abundant. If adequate moisture is not received by natural rainfall and irrigation is not possible at your planting site, you may run the risk of disappointing results during a dry year.
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WILL MY WILDFLOWERS COME BACK?
Yes, both native annual and perennial species will return year after year once they become established and are allowed to reseed.
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HOW DO I ALLOW MY FLOWERS TO RESEED?
Allow two weeks after the full bloom period has passed for the seeds to mature. As a rule of thumb, when the you see more dead brown plant parts than floral color, the area can be trimmed. Have an adult mow the area to a height of 4 to 6 inches. Often two cuttings will be needed to thoroughly break up the stem and leaf litter. Annual mowing helps in seed dispersal, reduces competition from unwanted weeds and grasses, and allows enough sunlight to reach the lower growing plants and emerging seedlings.
CAUTION: Cutting the vegetation below 3 inches has a tendency to damage perennial varieties.
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WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST COMMON MISTAKES PEOPLE MAKE WHEN PLANTING WILDFLOWERS?
Described below are the most common mistakes made that prevent successful wildflower growth:
