Sowing Flowers in the Cold
By David Bernal
One of the best ways to ensure a healthy, abundant, and efficient year-round garden is to emulate many of the natural cycles your plants would experience if grown wildly. For example, “true” wildflowers spend the summer carpeting the soil with millions of seeds that lie dormant all winter awaiting to germinate with the spring. Too many home gardeners are left unaware and rarely sow anything in the fall or winter. But the easiest way to jumpstart spring is to broadcast wildflower seeds now in these final weeks before winter. The term “wildflower” is not exact and can mean any number of flowers grown wildly out of cultivation. However, we've included a helpful list of some local all-American favorites here in our Rocky Mountain region.
Black-Eyed Susan wildflowers deliver some of the season's most timeless and iconic blooms native to the United States. Black-Eyed Susan rudbeckias are robust outdoor favorites for growing brilliant contrasting color in hot and thirsty gardens. Black-Eyed Susan seeds boast 12 – 36” tall wildflowers bursting with classic 2½” blooms of golden “daisy-like” petals around a smokey chocolate “black-eyed” center.
Blue Flax seeds grow one of the most tolerant wildflowers native to the western United States. Blue Flax linum seeds are vigorous outdoor favorites for growing adaptable, yet delicate seasonal color ideal for accenting any flower bed, porch, or planter. Blue Flax delivers durable 18 – 24” sky blue and lavender linum shrubs most commonly found in wooded areas from Alaska down into Texas.
California Poppy seeds grow one of the most radiant and familiar blooms ever, promising a touch of coastal California in your garden with gentle 3” golden orange heads and cold hardy silvery greens. California poppies are native to the cool and temperate stretches along the Pacific Northwest down into Mexico but will thrive in a variety of similar gardens.
Catchfly wildflower is an easy and perfectly suited grow for many dry and temperate climates. Catchfly seeds will excite your home, patio, and garden with robust 18 – 24” tall silene wildflowers dazzling with ½” fuchsia, lavender, and pink florets. Catchfly wildflowers are vigorous garden performers ideal as a soft pink highlight along any flower bed or walkway.
Larkspur seeds boast dense and timeless “bell-shaped” blooms bursting with a cool seasonal mix of blue, violet, rose, lavender, salmon, and white florets from spring until frost. Giant Imperial Mix larkspur seeds mature into hardy 36 – 48” tall stalks perfect for attracting butterflies or complementing any fresh cut summertime basket, bouquet, or centerpiece.
Rocky Mountain Penstemon is native to the arid pine and juniper forests from Wyoming down into New Mexico and is a tenacious performer in poor soils. Rocky Mountain wildflower seeds promise neat 12 – 30” tall penstemons with rich, leafy greens and strong “snapdragon-like” stalks. Penstemon wildflower seeds are a fragrant grow delicate enough to keep indoors yet tough enough to show off outside.
Shasta Daisy seeds boast stunning 24 – 36” tall wildflowers of classic white blooms ideal for a low-maintenance grow alongside the house. The shasta daisy was selectively bred by pioneering American horticulturist Luther Burbank in Sonoma County, California and is a celebrated performer in a wide variety of gardens across North America.
True Leaf Market offers all of these varieties separately or blended together in our special Rocky Mountain Mix. This handpicked blend delivers an authentic touch of the untamed American west to your very own garden. The
Rocky Mountain Mix includes 22 bold wildflowers native to the surrounding Rocky Mountain regions including larkspur, columbine,
wallflower , poppy, catchfly, gaillardia, baby's breath, and forget-me-not. Rocky Mountain Mix seeds are an ideal grow for rustic and natural flower beds or any wide open spaces. Rocky Mountain Mix wildflowers are cool-hardy, easy to grow from seed, and perfect for kids or novice gardeners.