GARDENS : Taming the Wildflower : Fall Planting Promises Low-Maintenance Color in Spring
INSTEAD OF DESIGNING gardens that rely heavily on irrigation, more people are growing flowering plants that have survived for centuries on natural rainfall. Native to the semi-arid regions of California, Aus tralia, the Mediterranean and South Africa, wildflowers are receiving serious attention not only from purists seeking to preserve native plant populations but also from pragmatists searching for drought solutions.
Wildflowers are gaining acceptance as the public becomes more appreciative of the natural look, says Laura Quatrochi, president of Wildflowers International in Napa. She explains that they can be used to complement traditional plantings or to create special effects, such as meadow gardens or gardens that attract butterflies, or as a source of cut flowers.
Wildflowers do require water, but they need it primarily when nature supplies it--during the fall, winter and early spring. At these times, seeds germinate, spread their roots wide and deep, and then bloom in the warm days of spring and early summer. As heat and drought arrive, wildflowers disappear, but not without dropping seeds to perpetuate their cycle.
Most wildflowers also have low nutrient demands, thrive in mediocre soils and are insect- and disease-resistant. Combine their many attributes with minimal care (little staking, no debudding), and it would seem that wildflowers are perfect for the garden. So what’s the catch?
Wildflowers do not bloom profusely for long periods as pansies and primroses do. Gardeners should not expect wildflowers to produce a conventional, English-garden look, according to Steven Cohan, formerly director of horticulture at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Gardens in Claremont, where spring wildflowers are a specialty. And wildflowers must be placed strategically, because when they finish blooming, their space will seem empty. Cohan, therefore suggested growing them beside a driveway, along an embankment or in front of shrubs and trees. Best bets for Southern California gardens include the California poppy, blazing star ( Mentzelia ), baby blue eyes ( Nemophila ), bellflower ( Phacelia ), lupine ( Lupinus ), blue-eyed grass ( Sisyrinchium ), summer chrysanthemum ( Chrysanthemum carinatum ), beach-evening primrose ( Oenothera ) and Gilia .
Another significant problem with growing wildflowers is weeds, particularly weedy grasses, which compete aggressively for light, space and nutrients. Tough as they are, wildflowers will eventually lose out if weeds are not suppressed. One method for reducing weeds is watering the newly prepared soil and subsequently removing all seedlings before sowing the area with wildflower seeds.
Because roadside wildflowers seemingly flourish in dry, hard soil, many people believe that seeds can be thrown on any bare patch of earth and forgotten. Such seeds will provide a nice snack for birds but few, if any, flowers. Serious gardeners loosen the soil by spading, sow seeds and water heavily (just once) to cover the seeds enough to foil birds and begin germination.
For wildflowers to get along in Southern California without irrigation, they must be planted before January. Seeds will be sold at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Gardens after Nov. 4. Or send for seed catalogues from the Theodore Payne Foundation ($2), 10459 Tuxford St., Sun Valley, Calif. 92352; Moon Mountain Wildflowers ($1), P.O. Box 34, Morro Bay, Calif. 93442, or Wildflower Seed Co. ($1) P.O. Box 406, St. Helena, Calif. 94574.
