Sunday, May 16, 2010

How can I take wildflowers from the road, and put them in a flower bed?

There is about 15 different kinds of wildflowers that grow along my road, but my road is a dirt road so they get really dusty. i already took 12 wild roses but they are all in shock, but they will be ok next year. How can I take these other wildflowers and plant them in my flower bed? Just to name a few of the flowers, there are daisys, black eyed susans, fire weed, flowering maple, and this one type of small purple vine that looks like a mini wisteria. how can i do it, and make sure they are ok? oh, and its ok if its illegal, this is a dirt road that only gets about 20 cars a day. i tried to plant wildflowers from seed, and only about 5 small types of flowers came up, not the ones that were in the picture. it was the biggest waste of money i ever spent. oh, and one more question, is there any type of wildflower seed packets (or miracle gro stuff) that has many big flowers come up like snapdragons and is very full and colourful?

How can I take wildflowers from the road, and put them in a flower bed?
Dan,


Stop and think for a moment about your actions. Is it illegal? Yes!! Private property calls it invasion and theft.


Public Property brings Criminal Charges against you!


First a real Wildflower Bed needs development and plannning. Set aside an area you wish to have as such a garden in your yard. Make the proper provisions, such as the soil, irrigation availability, and a border to keep the plants in place. Wildflowers are really weeds that will take over if not contained my friend!


With the planning, backfill with any dirt you can and some compost or manure your set to go. Again, confine the area with either a stone or timber wall no less than three foot tall and make it a full surround. After planning and executing that project examine your real purpose.


Do I want a true wildflower garden or a garden I can be proud of and tend? I believe the later to be more true. Set the garden to be receptive to any planting this fall. Spend the time between then and spring to put a plan on paper. Make a gradious plan with a Specimen Tree surrounded by rare plants. Then get real and plan a garden that reflects your obvious goal of color through the season.


There are so many plants and so many zones in this country that plants can grow in. Write me back for the zone you are in. I am at gjgjobs@yahoo.com and welcome such a challenge.


I, after reading your post, would suggest making a raised bed using whatever is available to you. The plants I would use would be a Center Plant of Yucca, a background of Gereniums and a front of Midlandier Roses. All are cheap and available at any Nursery. Beats the hell out of trying to save monies and the bed will continue for years!





Good Luck. I am at gjgjobs@yahoo.com
Reply:No, it's not ok ..... it is illegal!





Most wild plants will die when moved and transplanted, believe me, I've tried many, many times with no success! Some of the plants you listed can easily be grown from seed or plants purchased at a nursery. Black Eyed Susan's only need to be planted once since they self propagate very easily. Those wildflower seed packets are usually not good and will contain more weed seeds than real flower seeds like you are wanting. You could make your own mixture of seeds. Buy packets of seeds that you like, mix them together and plant!
Reply:I would just dig them up and transplant them immediately. I would probably wait until closer to fall. You can enjoy them next year.
Reply:Quite apart from whether it is or is not legal, wild flowers are notoriously difficult to transplant I think. Cowslips, for example, will quite happily live in lawns or roadside verges, but won't survive in flower borders!
Reply:wildflowers are very difficult to translplant if not impossible for some climates. i would cut the tops or seed bearing areas and save them to plant next year....you'll have a nice suprise in the spring.


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