Why Landscape with Native Wildflowers?
Native wildflowers are those that evolved naturally in a particular area, before humans introduced plants from distant places.

• Native wildflowers can save time and energy.  Native wildflowers have evolved and adapted to local conditions over thousands of years. They are vigorous and hardy, so can survive winter cold and summer heat. Once established, they need no irrigation or fertilization and are resistant to most pests and diseases. Because of this, native plants are well suited for today's interest in low-maintenance gardening and landscaping.
   

• Native wildflowers and plants support the ecosystem.  Native wildflowers and plants provide food and shelter for birds, butterflies and other desirable wildlife. Many help to enrich the soil. Their root systems help rainfall percolate into the soil, reducing erosion and runoff.  This improves water quality.
   

• Native wildflowers are beautiful. The diversity of native wildflowers includes their interesting flowers and foliage, providing a variety of heights, shapes, colors and textures in the landscape.  

Site Considerations Before planting wildflowers, select a site that will be appropriate for the project. Consider the following:

• Does the site support plants now?  If the area is naturally void of any plants, including unwanted weeds, it is unlikely to support wildflowers.
   

• Can supplemental water be supplied if rainfall is inadequate during germination?
   

• Does the area receive a minimum of 8 hours of direct sunlight per day?
   

• Can the soil type and drainage be determined? Poor draining or compacted soils make the planting difficult.

Passaic County Office of Natural Resource Programs
1310 Route 23 North
Wayne, New Jersey   07470
Phone: 973-305-5738
Fax: 973-305-5737

In Cooperation with the 
Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders

Updated: 4/1/01

People from all over the country are learning how to make their landscapes more attractive to wildlife, while building a haven for escaping the stresses of everyday life.  Time spent surrounded by gets people closer to nature and in touch with its real beauty.  Wildflowers provide some of the best overall food sources for wildlife, while requiring less fertilizer, less water, and less effort in controlling pests when compared to other land uses.

Biological diversity, or biodiversity, refers to the number of different life forms co-existing in an ecosystem. Ecologists know that the more different kinds of organisms that can co-exist in a system, the more stable or resilient that system will be.  Through biodiversity our children and their children will live in a more balanced and beautiful world.

To determine the need for fertilizers, the pH of the soil can be tested by taking a soil sample for analysis by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Service or by purchasing a small test kit from your local garden center. If your soil's pH is below 5, consider adding lime or wood ashes to raise the pH to 6 or 7.

Mow the existing or dead vegetation as close to the ground as possible.

Weeds can be greatly reduced by a herbicide treatment of the surface soil just before planting in late Spring or early summer (this will not work in late summer or fall).  Allow weeds to germinate and grow and apply herbicide when they are two to three inches tall.  Wait 10-15 days and repeat the application. 

After another 10 days, either till the soil to a depth of not more that one inch or rake to disturb just the top half inch of soil (going deeper will bring up more weed seeds).

Plant immediately.

For Northern New Jersey the best time for planting to assure a fall meadow is from March 15th - June 15th.

Follow the wildflower seed mix instructions to determine the amount of seed needed.

A split seed machine may work best for bringing seed into contact with the soil, however a cyclone spreader can be used if the area is then raked lightly for proper seed contact.  Some seeds will remain visible.

After planting, the seeds may be pressed into the soil by walking over the area or using a roller.

A light cover of straw or mulch can be used to help protect the new seedlings and conserve soil moisture.

If there is no natural rainfall after the area has been seeded, moisture will need to be added to promote seed germination.  Watering can be done 3 or 4 times a week to further promote germination.

Mowing can be done once a year either in the late fall or early spring (when the wildflowers are dormant) at a height of 6 inches.  Since there may be aggressive weed competition during the first year, the site can be mowed as many as three times per season at a height of 12-15 inches above the height of the wildflowers .

Year 2, overseeding with an annual mix will help to fill in the area.  Overseeding every two years with the original seed mix will preserve the original balance of the wildflower mixture.

It may take a few years for a wildflower area to fully establish itself, but the time is well worth it.  The first year is usually dominated by annuals, while the perennials are establishing their  root systems.  The next year some annuals will reseed themselves, but will not be as dominant as the perennials.