HABITAT: Approximately 20,000 kinds of wildflowers (native or naturalized) plants in North America, exclusive of grasses, shrubs, trees, and vines. Most are native of North America.

USES: Specimen plantings, natural settings (woods, bogs, etc.), ground covers, and naturalized open fields.

HABIT: Wide array of annuals and perennials in various sizes, shapes, colors, blooming over a period from early spring into late fall. Vining,  creeping, low to tall types. Some with few flowers but showy foliage. Some with interesting berries, both edible and inedible. Most mixtures contain both annuals and perennials, with the annuals providing color the first year while the  perennials are producing foliage.

SEED GERMINATION AND CULTURE: Seeds are best sown  in place where they are to grow in early spring after soil has warmed.  Before planting, lightly rake the area to a depth of 1 to 2 inches. Mix 1 part seeds with 2 parts sand or sand-like cat litter and broadcast. Press the seeds into the soil and cover lightly by raking or dragging a  canvas or similar material over the seed bed. Water as needed until  germination occurs. A 1- to 2-inch mulch of compost or shredded leaves can be added if desired. After blooms have died back in late fall, mow the entire area to control weeds and scatter the seeds.

INSECTS: Use broad-spectrum insecticides, such as Malathion, Sevin, or  Pyrethrum as needed.

DISEASES: Sanitation is best preventative. Powdered Sulfur and Captan are good for bacterial diseases and mildew.

PROPAGATION: Seed. Perennials can also be divided in the spring or fall.

REMARKS: Annual and perennial mixtures are special mixes of assorted varieties grouped with similar requirements to produce more uniform germination, growth and flowering. Seed is the easiest and  most economical method to use for greatest success, though more time may be  required to realize results.

The trend of wildflower observance, appreciation, and usage is rapidly increasing. To prevent depletion of plants in their native state, seeding of available varieties is encouraged to prolong the species. There is no fixed rule as to type of soils,  drainage, exposure, etc. because of the varying conditions at hand  and the plants own unpredictable ability to adapt to these varying  conditions. Drainage is perhaps one of the most important factors,  Whatever conditions are provided, some success will be had; and whatever the success, the end result is the same continued preservation of that species and enjoyment from our successful efforts.