Wildflowers are becoming ever more popular in the UK, not only due to their beautiful blooms and environmental benefits but because they’re low maintenance flowers to grow. This is a win for all you busy people out there!
Life can be manic with careers, children, family, friends and life admin to juggle. Therefore, at YourGreen, we want to make gardening something you can slot in when you fancy. You can use it as a way to de-stress and have some time to yourself or you can get others involved and make it a way to socialise with those who are important to you!
Whatever you decide, growing wildflowers is the perfect option for all you busy people who want a nice outdoor space to enjoy but don’t have the time to add intensive gardening to your already crowded schedule.
What makes wildflowers easy to grow plants?
Wildflowers notoriously spring up in many different areas across the country. You will often see them growing along motorways, in path crevasses, on woodland floors and in field headlands. They are a robust plant type, making them perfect for low maintenance areas. So, what makes wildflowers so easy to grow in your garden or meadow?
Wildflowers are easy to grow as they don’t require fertiliser or chemicals
One of the major benefits of wildflowers is that they don’t need many inputs, in fact, you can pretty much get away without using any fertilisers or chemicals at all! That means you don’t need to worry about pest or disease control to brighten up your outdoor space.
Wildflowers are easy to grow as they like poorer quality soils
When I say that wildflowers spring up in different places, I mean just about anywhere! Wildflowers are such easy-to-grow plants as they actually often thrive in poorer soils. Lower nutrient areas are ideal for wildflower species as they find it easier to compete with weeds and grasses in this type of soil. Your area will not need top soil, muck or compost so don’t worry about those expensive trips to the garden centre!
Wildflowers are easy to grow as they are just that…wild
The whole point of wildflowers is that they’re left to do their thing and, we all know, their thing is creating stunning, natural blooms for all to enjoy. Unlike horticultural plants, wildflowers don’t take much deadheading, pruning or nannying in general and, often will make do with just one healthy cut in the autumn when they start to die back in the colder weather.
Wildflowers in containers need water!
One thing we do need to mention however is that it’s important to water wildflowers daily (unless there has been sufficient rain) if you are growing them in containers such as pots and planters. Like all living things, wildflowers need plenty to drink to keep them healthy. This is especially true when growing flowers in containers. Although wildflowers are still easy to grow in this situation, the free-drainage means that they need a good water on a daily basis.
What are the easiest flowers to grow in summer
Native annual wildflowers are some of the easiest flowers to grow in the summer months in the UK. Not only do these fabulous flowers create vibrant and colourful blooms which look great but they also act as a brilliant source of pollen for bees, butterflies and other insects.
Native annual wildflowers have a one-year life cycle but if left to flower will self-seed. Even so, we would suggest sowing your native annuals every spring for flowers that summer.
The great thing about these native species is that they establish quickly in warm weather and can develop buds as quickly as eight weeks after sowing, depending on the conditions. They can be grown in meadows, beds, borders and containers so they are super versatile, making them one of the most popular wildflower seed mixes you can buy.
What wildflowers can you expect to get in a native mix?
Cornflower
Cornflowers are one of our favourite flowers to grow! They are a stunning purple/blue colour when in bloom and look amazing in gardens, meadows or even when cut and used for displays.
- Sow: March-May ideally but you can sow up until mid-July if the weather is right
- Flower: June-September
- Tips: Sow early and grow in full sunlight for best results
Poppy
Native poppy species such as corn poppy make a real impact and bring life to any landscape with its scarlet red flower.
- Sow: March-May or September-October
- Flower: July-September or May-July
- Tips: Shallow sow and grow in full sunlight for best results
Corncockle
Corncockle is a delicate purple flower which also has attractive grey-green foliage. This is a fantastic flower to grow as it is easy for beginners and looks great in all settings.
- Sow: March-May or September-October
- Flower: June-September
- Tips: Grows well on all soil types but place in full sunlight for best results
Corn Marigold
Marigolds as you may expect produce a vibrant yellow flower which makes a great addition to any bed or border. They also make great cut flowers, so pop them in a vase to brighten up your interiors.
- Sow: March-May or September-October
- Flower: June-September
- Tips: Fast growing wildflowers which do best in free draining soil
Chamomile
Chamomile is a popular wildflower to grow as it can be used to make tea or creamy sauces. The white petals are a great neutraliser in any outdoor space.
- Sow: March-May or September-October
- Flower: June-August
- Tips: Needs plenty of sunlight for best results but does well on most soil types
Which are the easiest flowers to grow in small spaces?
Vibrant annuals which will bring colour to hard landscapes and are perfect for adding atmosphere to small spaces without too much effort or maintenance. Easy to grow, annuals such as various species of poppies or cosmos, are some of the easiest flowers to grow in smaller outdoor areas.
These wildflower species also attract wildlife such as bees and butterflies therefore, even though you may not have much space, you can make a difference and support a thriving eco-system!
California Poppy
This stunning poppy variety really packs a punch with a large flowerhead, which comes in stunning shades of orange, red and yellow.
- Sow: March-May or September-October
- Flower: June-August
- Tips: Needs plenty of sunlight and is an amazing pot plant
Candy Tuft
This wildflower produces delicate white flower petals which smell fantastic and bring a different texture to a wildflower mix sown in smaller spaces. A really popular choice for beginners.
- Sow: March-May or September-October
- Flower: June-August
- Tips: May not flower in shaded spots, so grow in areas which get sunlight
Red Flax
Another easy to grow annual wildflower which creates a stunning deep pink/red bloom throughout the summer months. Perfect for dense borders.
- Sow: March-May or September-October
- Flower: June-September
- Tips: Plant in a free-draining, sunny spot
Cosmos
Cosmos is distinctive and looks fantastic in any garden or outdoor area. It has unique, feathery foliage and produces all different colour flowers – white, red, pink, orange and yellow.
- Sow: March-May or September-October
- Flower: June-September
- Tips: Cosmos is a bit pickier about soil so avoid really free-draining or clay soils
Why not try growing these plants which are easy to maintain?
As you can see, there are plenty of options if you’re looking for low maintenance, easy to grow plants for your garden or outdoor space. Wildflowers make the perfect partner for beginners and people who want a stand out garden without the tie of intensive gardening. If you feel like you need some inspiration you can always check out some seriously scenic spots around the UK to get some easy but impactful ideas for your area.