The first week of May was designated by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center as National Wildflower Week. I have always loved the look of prairie gardens and the variety of wildflowers that grow across the USA.
Last summer we started planting wildflowers along the expanse of our privacy fence which was painted before we moved in a not so lovely shade of brown. The colors of the wildflowers really helped to make the side yard pop and detracted from the fence.
Our first big project for this year has been to turn the old fire pit into a pollinator bed filled with perennial wildflowers. This spot in the back yard was an eyesore and a safety hazard. The previous own used it to burn just about everything in it.Last week when the weather was warmer we started to clean it out. While this week we sowed wildflower seeds into the new soil.
Then we added a new narrow bed was also put in near the veggie bed. Its purpose is two fold. One the chain link fence is not exactly eye catching and I have found veggie gardens do better when there are flowers around for pollinators.
For both I planted “All Perennial Wildflower Mix” from American Meadows.*
My goals for turning this into a perennial bed is that it will have little maintenance, be a beacon for pollinators and provide a pretty vibrant view.
I will share more later in the season when the flowers are in full bloom.
*The seeds in this mix are Sweet Williams, Fox Glove, Blue Flax, Blazing Star, Clasping Coneflower, Black-eyed Susan, Gloriosa Daisy, Yellow Prairie Coneflower, Mexican Hat, Maltese Cross, Rocky Mt Penstemon, Wild Lupne, Candyluft, Blanket Flower, California Poppy, Lance Leaf Coreopsis, Shasta Daisy, and Siberian Wallflower.