Wildflower Seeds for Pink Native Flowers

Native flowers are far superior to other garden plants. Native flowers are already adapted to various kinds of soil, need very little extra water, and NEVER need fertilizing. They seem to be happy anywhere they get enough sun. With all the recent emphasis on “going green” in the garden, native flowers are finally receiving the attention they deserve. The best native flowers are those that already existed in North America before it was widely settled. Of course, sticking to this definition poses its own problems.

Finding pure native flowers is not always easy. Many garden stores will claim that plant is "natural" or "naturalized," but that is not the same as native. Some "naturalized" plants are actually invasive weeds that crowd out better native flowers. sometimes it is necessary to research the scientific name of a plant to be sure that it is the right kind to put in the garden. For some people, that takes the fun out of gardening. It is difficult to determine the exact scientific name of an appropriate plant. Many plants look alike, even though they are from radically different categories.

So how can a confused gardener make a path through this tangle? Well, one option is to purchase only true native plant seeds. Follow the link to the mini-store above to buy seeds that are truly native. Or, as a beginning, relax the definition of native somewhat, and plant a wide variety of plants that help the environment. Make a shift away from annuals and toward perennials. It's much easier than some people make it sound. Just take a look at all the options on this page, and see what you can do!

Let us, for the moment, think of it this way: Any native flower perennial is better than turf grass or invasive alternatives. Every patch of healthy, self-sufficient native flowers provides more habitat and environmental benefit than a turf grass lawn. Any native flower, or close-to-native flower, is better than an alien invasive choice. Consider the options below, and find out how easy it is to grow native flowers.

Physostegia virginiana

The pink Obedient Plant is a healthy strong garden flower. It grows to about 3 feet tall.

It does need lots of moisture, so plant it in a place that gets lots of natural rainfall or water.

It is called Obedient Plant because flowers will stay wherever they are moved. This can make for some interesting effects.

Obedient Plant blooms from August through September. Best when planted 12 inches apart

Alcea rosea

These are biennial or short-lived perennials. This means that he plant itself will live about two to three years. No worries, though, in that time the plant will send out new shoots or drop seeds and new plants will take its place. Do be aware that new plants from seed may have some variation in color form the original.

Hollyhock is deer resistant, blooms early to late summer, and prefers well-drained soil. It grows very all, so use it as a background plant, not too close to windows. Hollyhock is a host plant for several native butterfly species. In this respect, it offers a great alternative to gladiolus or canna lily.

Monarda fistulosa

Bee Balm is a favorite of hummingbirds and butterflies. The strictly native version is actually lavender. However, these versions, with deeper hues, are still a much better choice than day lilies or morning glories. Of course, as the name suggests, bees love it too.

Monarda is a member of family. It has a square stem and very fragrant leaves. Monarda will spread int o nice large clumps very quickly. This is a wonderful asset in roadside or mailbox plantings. Its scent is very pleasant throughout the entire day, and sometimes into the evenings. Plant a little near a window and enjoy its scent in early summer evenings.

Echinacea (variants)

Everybody loves coneflowers. They are strong, showy, and hardy ever need any extra care. coneflowers are also host plants for moths.

These garden varieties have been cultivated to create their characteristic pink color, but they are sitll a good choice.

Hibiscus moscheutos

Rose mallow is a lovely almost miniature-hibiscus type of plant. It grows up on a stalk, though, rather than forming a bush. This makes it fit in with other garden flowers much more easily.

Personally, I have found rose mallow to be a great asset in my own garden. It fills in trouble spots really well, and stays pretty for a long time. That's just what I like in a plant.

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