Wildflowers: How to Plant Wildflowers in Colorado Springs

Wildflowers are beautiful and you may believe they are fully wild, but you can plant them in Colorado Springs. Wildflowers provide food and habitat for local wildlife and bring color and diversity to the landscape. If you’re interested in planting wildflowers in your garden or on your property, consider an approach described as xeriscaping, where the plants are so perfectly matched to the environment they are pre-designed to blossom with the least amount of water.

When to Plant Wildflowers in Colorado Springs

The best time to plant wildflowers in Colorado Springs depends on the specific species you want to grow. In general, the best time to plant wildflower seeds is in the fall, between mid-September and mid-October. This allows the seeds to germinate and establish a strong root system before the hot and dry summer months.

If you miss the fall planting window, you can plant wildflowers in the spring. The ideal time to plant wildflower seeds in the spring is between mid-April and early May, when soil temperatures have warmed up and there is plenty of moisture in the ground. If the storms and snow rage through April, this may shift. The snow needs to be melted, and the soil may require work to be welcoming for baby flower seedlings. And sadly some spring-planted wildflowers may not bloom until the following year, as they will need time to establish themselves. It may be good to plant a mix of flowers so you can experience early gratification in the coming summer plus later gratification next year.

Xeriscaping is a type of landscaping that conserves water through the use of plants that are easily adapted to your climate. This means they require the least amount of extra watering and tending. In Colorado Springs, some flowers that are well-suited for xeriscaping include:

1. Rocky Mountain Columbine (Aquilegia caerulea): This flower is the state flower of Colorado and is a stunning wildflower with blue and white petals. It blooms in late spring and early summer and thrives in rocky soils in partial shade.
2. Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata): This flower is a bright and showy wildflower that blooms from mid-summer to early fall. It has bright red and yellow petals and is well adapted to Colorado’s dry climate. It grows well in full sun and well-draining soil.
3. Blue Flax (Linum lewisii): This wildflower has delicate, pale blue flowers that bloom from late spring to early summer. It is a drought-tolerant plant that can grow in a variety of soils, including clay and sandy soil. It prefers full sun to partial shade.
4. Coneflower (Echinacea): This hardy perennial produces large, colorful flowers that attract butterflies and bees. They come in a variety of colors, including purple, pink, and white.
5. Penstemon (Penstemon spp.): This plant produces tubular flowers in a wide range of colors, including purple, pink, red, and white. They are a great choice for xeriscaping as they are drought-tolerant and attract pollinators.
6. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia): This perennial produces bright yellow flowers with a black center. They are easy to grow and attract butterflies and birds.
7. Yarrow (Achillea): This plant produces clusters of tiny flowers in shades of pink, red, yellow, and white. They are drought-tolerant and easy to grow.
8. Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia): This plant produces tall, airy spikes of lavender-blue flowers that add a graceful, wispy texture to the garden. They are drought-tolerant and easy to grow.

How to Plant Wildflowers in Colorado Springs

Before you start planting wildflowers, it’s important to choose the right site. Wildflowers prefer well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight, so look for a spot that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight each day and has soil that is not too compacted. If your soil is heavy or clay-like, you may need to amend it with compost or sand to improve drainage.

Once you’ve chosen your site, you can start preparing the soil for planting. Remove any existing vegetation and weeds, and loosen the soil to a depth of at least six inches. You can do this with a garden fork or tiller.

Next, mix your wildflower seeds with sand or vermiculite to help distribute them evenly. The ratio of seed to sand will depend on the species you’re planting; check the seed packet for specific instructions. Then, scatter the seed mixture over the prepared soil, taking care to spread the seeds as evenly as possible. You can use a seed spreader or simply scatter the seeds by hand.

After you’ve scattered the seeds, lightly rake them into the soil. This will help to ensure good seed-to-soil contact and will also help to prevent birds from eating the seeds. Finally, water the area gently but thoroughly to help the seeds settle into the soil. Use good soil: Colorado Springs has alkaline soil, which can be challenging for some plants. Consider adding compost or other organic matter to your soil to improve its fertility and texture.

Caring for Your Wildflowers

Once your wildflowers have sprouted, it’s important to keep them watered and weeded. During the first year, wildflowers will need regular watering to help establish their root systems. Water deeply but infrequently, rather than giving them frequent shallow waterings.

It’s also important to keep the area around your wildflowers weed-free. Weeds gobble up nutrients and suck away the water that your flowers need to bloom beautifully.

Protect from pests: Deer, rabbits, and other animals can be a problem for gardeners in Colorado Springs. Consider using fences, repellents, or other methods to protect your seedlings from damage.

Love: Plants respond to love. Here’s an experiment on love and hate words I found!

Say nice things to your wildflowers, and give them loving kind words of encouragement. Love will come back with beautiful blossoming flowers to inspire your days.

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