The following is a description of the native wildflowers I planted from seed this winter.  To plant them I simply scattered them in snow on January 24, 2009 and scuffed some snow on top of them.  The snow was about 2” deep and has lasted 4 days so far.  Most of these plants are considered deer and rabbit resistant.  We shall see.  If you received seeds from me planting instructions and package lists follow the wildflower descriptions below.

Agastache rupestris, Sunset Hyssop

This is a yellow orange flower plant with a spicy fragrance that attracts hummingbirds. Flowers are trumpet like and bloom from July to August on tall stalks.  It is considered deer and rabbit resistant. Give it full sun and a dryer environment once it is established. Average height is 12-36”. 

 

 

Aster laevis, Smooth Aster

Smooth aster is purple flowering perennial, 12-36” tall that blooms September through October. It requires moisture and is considered deer and rabbit resistant. Give it full sun and supplemental irrigation.

Balsamorhiza sagittata, Arrowleaf Balsamroot

Arrowleaf Balsamroot is a yellow flowering perennial with arrow shaped leaves and daisy like flowers that blooms in the spring. It grows 12-24” tall and typically blooms April through June.  Give it full sun and a dryer environment once it is established. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calylophus hartwegii, Primrose

This Primrose will grow 2-6” tall producing large yellow flowers throughout the summer.  It develops a large underground tuber and is considered deer resistant.  Give it full sun and a dry environment once it is established.

 

 

Delphinium andersonii, Andersons Larkspur

Western Larkspur can grow to 8-24” tall, producing white to deep blue flowers April through June.  It is poisonous so be careful with livestock.  It prefers full sun.

 

 

 

 

Gaillardia artistata, Blanketflower

This perennial grows 12-24” tall with yellow radial flowers with a red center in July and August.  It is considered deer and rabbit resistant.  Plant it in full sun with little irrigation once it is established. 

 

 

Geranium viscosissimum, Sticky Geranium

Sticky geranium grows 8-24” tall with pink to purple blooms from June to July.  Plant in full sun to part shade and provide some irrigation. Considered deer and rabbit resistant by some sources but another source says it is a favorite of elk and moose. 

 

 

Helenium hoopsii, Helen’s Sneezeweed, Orange Mountain Daisy

Helen’s Sneezeweed produces large, brilliant orange blooms in July and August, growing 12-24” tall. Give it partial shade to full sun and a dry to moist environment.  This plant is poisonous to livestock but the rabbits here seem to like it.

 

Helianthus pumilus, Foothills Sunflower

This sunflower grows 18-32” tall with yellow flowers in June and July. Plant in full sun with a little additional moisture. Considered deer and rabbit resistant.  

Penstemon palmeri, Palmers Penstemon

This Penstemon is pink flowering with gray leaves blooming from March through October.  It can reach about 20-56” tall (hard to believe). Plant it in full sun and once established do not give it much water. Considered rabbit resistant but not deer resistant. 

 

 

Penstemon strictus, Rocky Mountain Penstemon

Rocky Mountain Penstemon is a semi-evergreen perennial with bluish purple flowers clustered mid to late summer. It can grown 8-30” tall. Plant in full sun with additional water.  Considered deer (questionable) and rabbit resistant. 

 

 

 

 

Penstemon virens, Blue Mist Penstemon

Blue mist Penstemon blooms blue, lavender-throated flowers above green leaves in July and August.  Plant in full sun with additional water. It is low growing to about 8” tall and evergreen.  Considered rabbit resistant but not deer resistant.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you received native wildflower seeds in the mail from me, the following is information on planting and package contents.

General Planting Instructions: 

·        Plant now. 

·        It is best to plant just before or during a snow. If planting in snow simply broadcast the seeds in the snow and spread some additional snow on top of the seed. After snow melts you can place a light covering of mulch over the area.

·        If planting in soil, rough the soil with a rake to create furrows approximately 1/4 inch deep.  Sprinkle seeds over the area. Rake soil over the seeds and gently compact the soil. Lightly mulch the area 1/8” deep at the most.  Well decomposed compost is very good mulch. Water the soil well.

·        Continue to water the soil lightly when there is no snow keeping it moist until the seedlings have at least 2 sets of leaves.  You may need to do this for 4-6 weeks.  No need to water if seeds are covered with snow or ground is frozen.

·        When the plants have 2 sets of leaves water deeply and less frequently to promote deep root growth, approximately 1-2 inches every week or two.  Continue to water at this rate for the first year.

·        Once plants are established, typically the second or third year, water deeply once or twice a month for “A” plants and water deeply weekly for “B” plants.  The additional water for the dryer plants will help the plants bloom more and for longer than they would without water.  It will also help plants spread and grow from seeds.

 

If you have received these seeds in the mail from me, please add a comment telling me:

1.   When you planted the seeds: date, and comments such as did it snow shortly after planting?

2.   How you planted the seeds: in the ground, in pots… Did you mulch? With what?

3.   How often you watered the seeds: every other day/weekly or maybe after the snow melted….

4.   When the first leaves appeared: date…

5.   When the first bloom(s) appeared: date…

6.   If deer or rabbits ate them, or maybe you caged them…

7.   Did they return the following year?

Feel free to add comments throughout the year.  I hope to share everyone’s results in a follow-up entry. You can upload photos of your plants if you would like.  It would be great to see how everyone does. 

Packet A

In theory these plants will need very little to no additional irrigation after established.  However, if you water them deeply once a month, they will bloom longer and become dormant later.  Also, since we typically plant high desert plants closer than they would exist in a natural system, it is important to give them some supplemental water.

 

Agastache rupestris, Sunset Hyssop

Balsamorhiza sagittata, Arrowleaf Balsamroot

Calylophus hartwegii, Primrose

Gaillardia artistata, Blanketflower

Helenium hoopsii, Helen’s Sneezeweed

Mirabilis multiflora, Wild Four O’clock 

 

Packet B

In general these plants will all need additional irrigation after established.  Water deeply 2-3 times a month spring through summer.

 

Aster laevis, Smooth Aster

Delphinium andersonii, Anderson Larkspur

Helianthus pumilus, Foothills Sunflower

Geranium viscosissimum, Sticky Geranium

Penstemon palmeri, Palmers Penstemon

Penstemon strictus, Rocky Mountain Penstemon

Penstemon virens, Blue Mist Penstemon

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