Wildflowers – My New Border

It’s wonderful that wildflowers and wildflower meadows are being appreciated again, and so many people are planting a version of them in their own gardens. At the same time it’s really sad to know how many have been lost over the last few decades. Again it’s the gardeners of the country that are helping by growing these insect friendly plants again!

I’ve loved wildflowers ever since walks with my auntie as a little girl, when she used to teach me the names. Even the cultivated varieties of flowers that I choose tend to be the more natural looking ones.

When I was designing our garden, the vegetable growing area and greenhouse were at the top of my list. Followed closely by a pond and different seating areas, it was only what was left that would be for flowers. Not that flowers aren’t extremely important to me, they just had to fit around the other priorities.

Once we’d finished the bones of the garden, I realised I hadn’t left anywhere appropriate for wildflowers, which was quite disappointing!

Luckily a small border measuring 10′ x 6′ where the plum and cherry trees grow on the wall wasn’t working. I’d initially put artichoke in it, but they weren’t right.

Next we moved a Quince tree that had been originally planted against the ‘great wall’, but had not behaved! We hoped that we could keep it as a small standard. We very quickly realised that the quince had other ideas and wanted to grow far too big. So last autumn it had to go!

I knew exactly what was going here next, a wildflower border.

Planting & Sowing Wildflowers

Like most gardening my little border isn’t strictly wildflowers, it’s my interpretation of a wildflower area. It would be different if I had a whole meadow – wouldn’t that be marvellous!

Alliums

Once the tree was removed and the ground was levelled, as it was autumn I planted some allium drumstick bulbs these always blend well with a more naturalistic theme.

Verbena Bonariensis

Next I put in some stray verbena bonariensis seedlings, these pop up everywhere in our garden like weeds – nice weeds to have though!

Californian Poppies

As luck would have it, I’d finally grown Californian poppies from seed last year. I’ve been admiring them for years in other peoples gardens and so finally sowed some.

I kept them in the greenhouse over winter and planted them in the new border in the spring.

I’ve been blown away by how many flowers they have produced and for how long they’ve flowered for!

Poppies

Whilst we are on poppies, they are one of the few flowers that were in the garden when we came here. Despite the fact that we’ve changed every bit of this garden the poppies have continued to pop up here there and everywhere.

Then again when you think of how many seeds are in just one poppy head and how tiny they are, it’s not surprising!

Needless to say, the new border had a good sprinkling of poppy seeds I’d saved in an envelope.

I simply love the poppy seed heads, they are just as good as the flowers, with the benefit of lasting through the winter if you leave them.

Cornflowers

I’ve always wanted to grow cornflowers as I had them in my bridal bouquet – rather a long time ago now – So this year I’ve finally had a good excuse.

They were very easy to grow from seed and they haven’t disappointed, with their true blue flowers. They contrasted perfectly with the orange poppies.

Gladioli

I’d ordered some Gladioli bulbs, a first for me. I wasn’t sure where I was going to plant them so started them off in pots. As they started to shoot I thought they too might work in the border.

Cosmos

I haven’t grown cosmos for many years, but this year a friend grew some from seed and gave me a few. I had forgotten quite how impressive they are, growing to around three foot tall and covered in flowers. With an added bonus that the bees love them.

Dierama

I’ve been struggling to grow Dierama for quite a number of years now. It germinates well, grows to around four inches and then sits there.

It pretty much looks like grass, but if you’re lucky enough to get it to flower – I’ve had that twice – it has these delicate pink flowers that are commonly known as Angels fishing rods.
Last year I decided to sow some more and once they reached the usual four inches in the pot, I planted a few in the new border.

I’m pleased to say they’ve made it to 2-3 foot, but no flowers yet! You never know, if I’m lucky I might even get some next year!

Thyme

Some thyme had self seeded in the border and fits in well so I left it to its own devices. Again it is a plant that’s loved by the bees.

Sunflowers

We always like to have a few sunflowers in the garden, you can’t get a happier looking flower!

Although I always sow a few each year they self seed in the borders as I leave the seed heads for the birds. This year we’ve had more than ever pop up, meaning my new border is full of them.

This has worked out well, as most other flowers there have gone over now and were looking a bit tatty.

In the next couple of weeks we should have a sunny yellow explosion!

Good for the insects

Considering that this border is in it’s first year, it’s already given me immense pleasure and hopefully will get better each year, but just as important, they insects have absolutely loved it!