Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 4, 1993 TAG: 9304010078
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Patricia Held
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
PLANT WILDFLOWERS INSTEAD OF GRASS
We seed, fertilize, then mow and mow and mow for the rest of the summer. But there is an alternative to maintaining grass: Plant wildflowers.More and more people are discovering this excellent alternative. Even the Virginia Department of Transportation has found this to be an effective way of cutting down on maintenance along the highways as well as providing motorists with pretty scenery.
The department tries to choose highly visible areas for its wildflower plantings so "everyone can appreciate it," says Darrell Bower, a landscape specialist with the Virginia Department of Transportation's Salem district. The program eliminates the need for regular mowing and provides a diversion from the green landscape along the highways.
Garden clubs started doing this about 10 years ago. Then the state began its program. "We still accept donated seed through garden clubs and civic associations," says Bower. The Salem district, which encompasses 12 counties from Lynchburg to Fort Chiswell, has about 40 wildflower beds along highways.
Other states have similar programs. Most notable, says Bower, are North Carolina, which has an extensive program, and Texas, which is home to the Wildflower Research Center in Houston.
If you have areas that are difficult to maintain or are simply too large to mow regularly but too small to use for agricultural purposes, this may be the answer. Or if you just wish to add an extra splash of color to a road edge, hillside or vacant field, try planting wildflowers.
To prepare areas for wildflower planting, Bower said, first treat the site with a non-selective weed control. Follow label directions whenever using such products.
To prevent erosion, avoid unnecessary disturbance of the soil. The state uses slit seeders, which cut tiny holes in the ground where the seed is then inserted. Then the soil is again packed down. Or the soil can be raked or tilled to a depth of 1 inch. Shallow soil preparation will limit the disturbance of dormant weed seed.
Plant annuals in the first two or three years, suggests Bower. Once the beds are established, perennials and bulbs can be planted. This prevents competition from unwanted weeds.
Rather than purchasing a wildflower mix, Bower prefers to purchase individual species, or he mixes his own. Not only is this a cheaper way, but often more successful because one can choose specific seeds that do well in our area.
Among the wildflowers that Bower uses in are rocket larkspur, corn poppy, bachelor's button, yellow cosmos, cosmos, dame's rocket, ox-eyed daisy and black-eyed Susan.
Many seed catalogs now carry wildflowers. There also are some seed houses that deal exclusively with wildflower seeds. Wildseed Farms in Eagle Lake, Texas, publishes an annual catalog that not only carries a large variety of wildflowers (69 in its latest catalog) but gives readers detailed directions on their planting and care.
The catalog actually reads more like a good field guide. There are color photographs of the adult plant in flower as well as its immature stage. There is a full description of the plant including its height, habitat preference and bloom period. The catalog also rates each wildflower's planting success in all the regions of the United States. In addition there are detailed instructions on how to prepare and maintain wildflower sites.
To receive your catalog, write to: Wildseed Inc., 1101 Campo Rosa Road, P.O. Box 308, Eagle Lake, Texas 77434, or call (800) 848-0078.
Patricia Held will respond to readers' questions on the plant and animal wildlife in the region. Mail inquiries to: Patricia Held, P.O. Box 65, Goode 24556.
Patricia Held is a Bedford County free-lance writer and author specializing in natural history.