Meadow Wildflower Gardens

Can you give me some pointers on planning and setting out a meadow wild garden?

The meadow where wildflowers are to be grown should be open, sunny, and preferably fenced with either a rustic fence or rock wall. The soil for common meadow flowers should be dry, porous, and preferably a little sandy. Most meadow flowers are easily grown from seed and then transplanted. Weeds should be kept away from the plants so that they are not choked out. Room should be allowed for them to reseed themselves and form natural-looking patches.

What are the general cultural requirements for growing meadow wildflowers in the garden?

The conditions should be as much like those of a meadow as possible: full sun, plenty of room for the plants, and undisturbed conditions. The soil should be porous and loamy except for moist meadow plants.

What sun-loving wildflowers are suitable for rural garden planting to give color and succession of bloom?

Phlox amoena, April to May; Iris cristata, May; Corydalis sempervirens, May to June; Epilobium angustifolium, June to July; Gillenia trifoliata, June to August; Campanula rotundifolia, June to October; Cassia marilandica, July to August; Asclepias tuberosa, July to August; Aster linariifolius, September; Aster ericoides, September to October.

Which wild plants will grow well in a sunny meadow?

Daisies, black-eyed Susans, the goldenrods, butterfly-weed, phlox, Joe-Pyeweed, hawkweed (devil’s-paint-brush), yarrow, thistles, ironweed, lupine, pearly and sweet everlastings, American-artichoke, tansy, chicory; New England, smooth, and New York asters, trumpet creeper and bush honeysuckle, Queen Anne’s lace, wild sweet pea.