My wild flower garden is really not a typical meadow wildflower garden, other then that it is utterly wild looking. A wildflower meadow is something totally different. I simply threw out packets of seed, not sure what was going to come up or thrive.
A variety of poppy seeds were thrown out in March and were the main show in June. There is nothing that quite compares to what I call, “the dance of the fairies” . . . hundreds of poppies dancing in the wind in their frilly skirts.
No words or commentary are needed, or could for that matter, enhance their beauty.
I thought I could let this wild area of the yard remain wild and let nature take its course. Unfortunately, when poppies are done showing off, they get very ratty looking. The tangled mess of unsightly brown poppies finally got the best of me, and I pulled them all out. I knew if I waited they would go to seed and I’d have poppies forever. But, being the neat freak that I am, I had to clean up the mess they left behind. I immediately felt better once they were cleaned up. Everything else in the garden could actually breathe again, had room to spread its wings, and take the stage and show off itself.
I can’t even imagine throwing seeds into an area and getting flowers 3 months later, at least not without a lot of soil preparation and constant watering. I haven’t even had much success growing our state flower, the California poppy! I’m sure you enjoyed them while in bloom but I understand the need to clean up after they’re done – I’m a neat freak as well. Seed is inexpensive so there’s nothing to stop you from throwing out more next spring 😉
I didn’t do any soil prep other that mulching up the leaves that were back there from winter and spreading them around. The soil there is very poor and usually is only watered when it rains. It was just an experiment and was partially successful. Not every seed I planted came up, but the poppies did fabulous. And it’s not a big deal if it was a flop because I have some native Ohio perennials planted back there that will eventually fill the space. I do have some elderberry bushes there and they are doing wonderful. Going to get a great crop and be able to make elderberry pie, a childhood favorite, with many wonderful memories attached.
Your poppies were gorgeous Cindy! You were lucky they all germinated so well for you. 😃 Definitely a successful experiment.
I actually threw a lot of different kinds of seeds out there, but it was primarily poppies that came up. They come up earlier than everything else, and I think the rest of them just got crowded out. I won’t do poppies like that again. It was beautiful while it lasted, but it was such a short bloom time and then a very ugly mess to clean up afterwards. But it was fun to try something completely different and worth the experiment.
I threw some very old 2013 seeds in my raised beds where I plant vegetables and I liked the mixture of what came up there far better. Mostly bachelor’s buttons, larkspur, and snap dragons.
What’s not to love about poppies, they’re simply gorgeous. You have some really nice varieties there, Cindy, and to maintain a wild but neat look they ought to be mixed with other drought-loving and not too vigorous plants which give them room to breathe. They’re very peculiar creatures and often don’t come up in the places where I want but instead show up elsewhere. Hope all is well with you and that you’re enjoying summer. Best wishes, Annette