Native Wildflowers for a Blooming Backyard: A Comprehensive Guide to 12 Quick-Growing Species
In the quest to create a flourishing and diverse garden, consider planting native wildflowers. Not only do they add a splash of colour and beauty, but they also provide essential habitats for pollinators and other wildlife. Here are eight native wildflowers that are low-maintenance, improve soil quality, and are perfect for supporting local biodiversity.
1. **Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)**
This short-lived perennial, growing 18-36 inches tall, thrives in full sun and dry to medium soil. It is beneficial for seed-eating birds like American Goldfinches and supports pollinators, though it is not exceptionally attractive to them.
2. **Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)**
The Purple Coneflower is a perennial that grows 2-4 feet tall, offering nectar to pollinators. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil, making it an excellent addition to any garden.
3. **California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)**
This annual wildflower, standing 12-18 inches tall, flourishes in full sun and dry soil. It provides a vibrant display of colour and supports pollinators like bees and butterflies.
4. **Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)**
The Wild Columbine, a perennial growing 12-36 inches tall, prefers partial shade to full sun and well-drained soil. Its nectar-rich flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies, making it a valuable addition to any garden.
5. **Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristata)**
This perennial offers nectar to various pollinators and is drought-tolerant, growing 18-36 inches tall. It prefers full sun and dry to medium soil.
6. **Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)**
A critical host plant for monarch butterfly caterpillars, Swamp Milkweed grows 3-4 feet tall and prefers full sun and moist soil.
7. **Lupine (Lupinus spp.)**
Lupine, a perennial that varies in height by species, is known for attracting bees and butterflies. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.
8. **Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)**
This perennial, growing 2-4 feet tall, offers nectar to pollinators and is beneficial for its fragrance. It prefers full sun to partial shade and moist soil.
In addition to these wildflowers, there are others worth mentioning:
- Butterfly weed thrives in full sun and dry to medium, well-drained soil, and grows best in zones 3-9. - Compass plant, growing in zones 3-8, prefers moist, well-drained soil in full sun and gets its common name from the tendency of its leaves to point north and south. - Large-flowered beardtongue, which thrives in poor soil, dry conditions, and full sun to part shade, grows almost anywhere in zones 3-9. It attracts bumblebees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators with its purple, tubular flowers in late spring and early summer. - White turtlehead thrives in moist to wet, organically rich soil and full sun to partial shade, and grows best in zones 3-8. It boasts dense spikes of white, two-lipped flowers that resemble a turtle head and blooms midsummer into fall, attracting butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, among other pollinators. - Garden coreopsis features long-lasting, bicolor blooms with notched petals that are golden toward the outer edges and red-brown at the base, with reddish-purple centers. It will grow just about anywhere in zones 2-11, tolerating poor soil, drought, and heat, though it prefers light, well-drained soil in full sun.
By incorporating these native wildflowers into your garden, you'll not only create a beautiful and diverse ecosystem but also contribute to the overall health of your local environment.
- The Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), a short-lived perennial, adds color and beauty to your garden while improving soil quality and supporting various pollinators.
- The Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), growing 2-4 feet tall, is not only aesthetic but also offers nectar to pollinators, making it an excellent choice for any organic garden.
- California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica), an annual wildflower, brings a vibrant display of color to your home-and-garden lifestyle, and provides food for bees and butterflies.
- The Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), a perennial that grows 12-36 inches tall, offers nectar-rich flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies, enriching your fashion-and-beauty-inspired garden décor.
- Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristata), a drought-tolerant perennial, attracts numerous pollinators and aligns well with sustainable and low-maintenance gardening practices.
- Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), a critical host plant for monarch butterfly caterpillars, thrives in moist soil and contributes to the biodiversity of your garden.
- Lupine (Lupinus spp.), a perennial known for attracting bees and butterflies, integrates beautifully into any gardening venture, supporting the local ecosystem.
- Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), growing 2-4 feet tall, offers nectar to pollinators and its fragrance enhances the overall sensory experience of your outdoor living space.
Additionally, consider incorporating other native wildflowers such as Butterfly weed, Compass plant, Large-flowered beardtongue, White turtlehead, and Garden coreopsis to create a flourishing, diverse garden that contributes to the health of your local environment.
