The Master Gardener Articles

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Perennial Wildflowers

Perennial Wildflowers can add a breath of fresh air to a humdrum meadow.  If you are looking for shade loving wildflower perennials that prefer moist conditions, consider Aquilegia Canadensis (Eastern Red Columbine) which bloom in the spring/summer period, Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower) (Summer/Fall) Hesperis matronalis (Dame’s Rocket) (Spring/Summer), Myosotis alpestris (Forget-Me-Not) (Summer) Zizia aurea (Golden Alexanders) (Spring).

Other perennials that do well in a little more sunlight (partial shade) under moist conditions are Aster novae-angliae (New England Aster) (Fall), Cerastium biebersteinii (Show in Summer) (Spring/Summer), Cheiranthus allionii (Siberian Wallflower) (Spring), Chrysanthemum leucanthermum (Ox-eye Daisy) (Spring/Summer) Chrysanthemum Maximum (Shasta Daisy) (Summer), Coreopsis lanceolata (Lance-leaved Coreopeis) (Summer), Heliopsis Khelianthoides (Ox-eye Sunflower) (Fall) Liatris spicata (Dense Blazing Star) (Summer), Penstemom digitalis (Beard-Tongue White) (Summer), Rudbeckia fulgida speciosa (Coneflower) (Summer), Rudbeckia subtomentosa (Sweet Black-eyed Susan) (Fall), Viguiera multiflora (Showy Goldeneye) (Summer), Viola tricolor (Johnny Jump-up) (Spring/Fall).

Seeding rate is based on 75 seeds/square foot. For difficult sites (Slopes, poor seed bed) double this rate. Depending on seed size, this varies from 1 – 10 pounds/acre for most seeds. Prepare the seeding site by removing all the vegetation (mechanically or with herbicides). Rototill the seedbed to a depth of 4-6 inches. After cultivating the area, delay seeding for 2-3 weeks, so additional surviving plants can be removed. When seeding, blend the seed with sand (4:1 sand to seed) to aid in the distribution. Lightly rake the area to a depth of 1/8 to ¼ inch. Mulching with clean straw is recommended. Keep the area moist for 4-6 weeks, which may require a light watering twice a day in hot weather. In the fall, once the plants have stopped flowering and have set seed, mow to a height of 4-6 inches (generally Mid-October).

Plant the wildflowers in the Spring after the danger of frost or in the Fall after the soils have cooled enough to prevent germination.  If you want to plant earlier (Mid to Late Summer) allow 10-12 weeks for the plants to become established prior to the onset of winter.

Seeds specially blended for the Midwest, low growing wildflower mix, partial shade mix and an all-perennial wildflower mix are commercially available.

For more information contact The Ohio State University Extension, Union County at 937.644.8117 or toll free at 800.589.8584 or by e-mail contact George McVey, Extension Program Assistant Horticulture, Master Gardener Coordinator at gmcvey@ag.osu.edu.