Mini Wildflower Meadow Preparation & Seeding Cup and Saucer Vine
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Date: 2022-08-07
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Comments and reviews: 20
Arts
Hi, Danielle! I live in southwestern North Carolina in zone 7b where we have pretty mild winters with only a few inches of snow once or twice during the whole winter, and our summers are very hot and humid. We generally have freezing temperatures down in the 20s in late November. By February, we are already having highs in the 50's and 60's once or twice a week. So, last fall I bought a 1/4 pound of Burst of Bloom Wildflower seed mix from Eden Brothers and followed the instructions from their website for how to plant them in the fall. In previous years I had not had very good luck with broadcasting wildflower seeds in the spring, and only a few bachelor's buttons and blanket flowers came up. That is why I did a fall planting this time with hopes of much better germination with the freezing and thawing that we have had through the winter. I checked now that we are in mid February, and I see that the wildflowers have germinated, and lots of little baby plants are growing! In the fall, my husband had tilled about a 500 square foot area in our field, which has clay soil, and where zinnias had grown the summer before, and I raked it and smoothed it out. Then, we just broadcasted the seeds as evenly as possible, watered it one time, and let the rains of fall and winter do the rest. I'm excited to see the flowers when they bloom! I hope your wildflower patch does well with your spring planting since you are in a cooler location. Please let us know when your mini meadow blooms!
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Hi, Danielle! I live in southwestern North Carolina in zone 7b where we have pretty mild winters with only a few inches of snow once or twice during the whole winter, and our summers are very hot and humid. We generally have freezing temperatures down in the 20s in late November. By February, we are already having highs in the 50's and 60's once or twice a week. So, last fall I bought a 1/4 pound of Burst of Bloom Wildflower seed mix from Eden Brothers and followed the instructions from their website for how to plant them in the fall. In previous years I had not had very good luck with broadcasting wildflower seeds in the spring, and only a few bachelor's buttons and blanket flowers came up. That is why I did a fall planting this time with hopes of much better germination with the freezing and thawing that we have had through the winter. I checked now that we are in mid February, and I see that the wildflowers have germinated, and lots of little baby plants are growing! In the fall, my husband had tilled about a 500 square foot area in our field, which has clay soil, and where zinnias had grown the summer before, and I raked it and smoothed it out. Then, we just broadcasted the seeds as evenly as possible, watered it one time, and let the rains of fall and winter do the rest. I'm excited to see the flowers when they bloom! I hope your wildflower patch does well with your spring planting since you are in a cooler location. Please let us know when your mini meadow blooms!
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Martha
I also have gotten a lot of seeds from American Meadows to plant out this season. Midwest Regional Mix, Lupines Red Poppies, Mixed Poppies, Bachelor Buttons and Spring into Summer Mix, just to name a few. I plan on have curved beds in the back in different sections. My back yard is 125 feet by 50 feet and full sun. I am also in zone 6B, St. Louis, Missouri. I plan to have some curved beds in the front as well. I have been in my house for almost 3 years and really have not done any planting at all. I work for the Missouri Botanical Garden and am also a Master Gardener. This will be a fun process which I will be documenting through videos and journaling.
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I also have gotten a lot of seeds from American Meadows to plant out this season. Midwest Regional Mix, Lupines Red Poppies, Mixed Poppies, Bachelor Buttons and Spring into Summer Mix, just to name a few. I plan on have curved beds in the back in different sections. My back yard is 125 feet by 50 feet and full sun. I am also in zone 6B, St. Louis, Missouri. I plan to have some curved beds in the front as well. I have been in my house for almost 3 years and really have not done any planting at all. I work for the Missouri Botanical Garden and am also a Master Gardener. This will be a fun process which I will be documenting through videos and journaling.
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Mary
I had the same issue with my cup and saucer trellis. Lush beautiful foliage. But it doesn't really start to flower until fall. Just as it starts to go crazy with beautiful flowers, the cold stops it dead. Honestly I think the vines are so attractive it is still worth growing just to cover a trellis. If you are in Zone 7 or south, I imagine it would make a spectacular flowering vine. The problem with starting the seed early is how to keep it from being a tangled mess in the pots for so long, Easy in a greenhouse but not easy under lights. Good luck with yours. I have southern garden envy this time of year. Zone 5b and a short growing season is limiting.
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I had the same issue with my cup and saucer trellis. Lush beautiful foliage. But it doesn't really start to flower until fall. Just as it starts to go crazy with beautiful flowers, the cold stops it dead. Honestly I think the vines are so attractive it is still worth growing just to cover a trellis. If you are in Zone 7 or south, I imagine it would make a spectacular flowering vine. The problem with starting the seed early is how to keep it from being a tangled mess in the pots for so long, Easy in a greenhouse but not easy under lights. Good luck with yours. I have southern garden envy this time of year. Zone 5b and a short growing season is limiting.
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Jeanine
Hi Danielle,
Your enthusiasm in planting is great to see any gardener. Pollinating planting is such an added enjoyment to any garden area. Keep in my though that try to plant, seed mostly Native to your area too. Many require open wide sunny areas in poor soil so they are constantly self seeding around. If seeding wild meadow flowers in close proximity to other beds, plants ect. Might cause issues with disease especially in humid conditions. Seeds will also come up everywhere as there are driven by wind and birds. Hummers are my favorite birds, they are my sign of my mothers spirt showing up after her passing seven years ago.
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Hi Danielle,
Your enthusiasm in planting is great to see any gardener. Pollinating planting is such an added enjoyment to any garden area. Keep in my though that try to plant, seed mostly Native to your area too. Many require open wide sunny areas in poor soil so they are constantly self seeding around. If seeding wild meadow flowers in close proximity to other beds, plants ect. Might cause issues with disease especially in humid conditions. Seeds will also come up everywhere as there are driven by wind and birds. Hummers are my favorite birds, they are my sign of my mothers spirt showing up after her passing seven years ago.
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Megan
Thank you for the information about Cup and Saucer vine! I just found some seeds today so I can't wait to try them out. I know you love gladiolas, and I'm excited to try them this year. Is it possible to start gladiolus early inside? The other day Garden Answer started her dahlias in the greenhouse and it made me wonder about gladiolus. I'm also curious about what you do with your gladiolus after you cut them. do you leave the bulbs so that they will bloom again next year? And if so, when you succession plant the next year, don't you end up with tons of gladiolus blooming at the same time?
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Thank you for the information about Cup and Saucer vine! I just found some seeds today so I can't wait to try them out. I know you love gladiolas, and I'm excited to try them this year. Is it possible to start gladiolus early inside? The other day Garden Answer started her dahlias in the greenhouse and it made me wonder about gladiolus. I'm also curious about what you do with your gladiolus after you cut them. do you leave the bulbs so that they will bloom again next year? And if so, when you succession plant the next year, don't you end up with tons of gladiolus blooming at the same time?
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Honore
Good luck with your wildflower meadow venture. Here in the UK they are notoriously difficult. They need poor soil and we often plant yellow rattle which acts as a parasite on the grass roots and weakens them as they are the main competitors of the wildflowers. Some gardeners also supplement the flowers with plug plants. We may, of course, use a different selection of wildflowers and in America you may have better luck with your selection of seeds. Good to know you have heard of Sarah Raven. She has an amazing cut flower garden.
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Good luck with your wildflower meadow venture. Here in the UK they are notoriously difficult. They need poor soil and we often plant yellow rattle which acts as a parasite on the grass roots and weakens them as they are the main competitors of the wildflowers. Some gardeners also supplement the flowers with plug plants. We may, of course, use a different selection of wildflowers and in America you may have better luck with your selection of seeds. Good to know you have heard of Sarah Raven. She has an amazing cut flower garden.
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Evelyn
Gracie's eyes were beautiful against her almost same coloured blanket.
Feverfew in my garden grows like a weed, in fact I considered it a determined weed until I discovered it is a great bouquet filler. Anyway, that means it grows fine and self seeds outside and can therefore go outside super early in the season if started indoors. Plants are already popping up all over my gardens timing themselves perfectly with the first crocus and garlic growth as well as the itoh peony bud swellings.
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Gracie's eyes were beautiful against her almost same coloured blanket.
Feverfew in my garden grows like a weed, in fact I considered it a determined weed until I discovered it is a great bouquet filler. Anyway, that means it grows fine and self seeds outside and can therefore go outside super early in the season if started indoors. Plants are already popping up all over my gardens timing themselves perfectly with the first crocus and garlic growth as well as the itoh peony bud swellings.
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Sue
We are out in the country on 20 acres in southern Wisconsin. Most of our land is left for nature. We grow many cut flowers and shrubs. A few years ago, we laid down black plastic to start a small wildflower area. When we went to lift it, we found some coiled garter snakes under there seeking warmth. That was quite a shock! Our wildflower mix contained blue lupines and they have perennialized. As usual, another great video from you. Looking forward to following what happens next!
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We are out in the country on 20 acres in southern Wisconsin. Most of our land is left for nature. We grow many cut flowers and shrubs. A few years ago, we laid down black plastic to start a small wildflower area. When we went to lift it, we found some coiled garter snakes under there seeking warmth. That was quite a shock! Our wildflower mix contained blue lupines and they have perennialized. As usual, another great video from you. Looking forward to following what happens next!
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Leslie
You will love having a meadow. especially in the winter! I always wished I had a -vista- like mountain, prarie or lake view. I planted a meadow about 20 years ago and it's my kitchen window view as well. It's so peaceful and a perfect -vista- for a suburban neighborhood. In the winter it's so beautiful as well and lots of wildlife take shelter. I'm excited to see how your mini meadow will turn out and hummingbird way! American Meadows is a wonderful company -
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You will love having a meadow. especially in the winter! I always wished I had a -vista- like mountain, prarie or lake view. I planted a meadow about 20 years ago and it's my kitchen window view as well. It's so peaceful and a perfect -vista- for a suburban neighborhood. In the winter it's so beautiful as well and lots of wildlife take shelter. I'm excited to see how your mini meadow will turn out and hummingbird way! American Meadows is a wonderful company -
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Zhang
I have tried mini meadow in my urban backyard of SE PA for three years. It looks beautiful until July thunderstorm destroy everything. I used flower netting and several flower cages for supporting. They still bend over. I finally give up and plan to turn it into a rose garden. Roses and other shrubs with strong stems can withstand heavy rain and wind here. My endless summer and limelight hydrangeas all drooped badly.
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I have tried mini meadow in my urban backyard of SE PA for three years. It looks beautiful until July thunderstorm destroy everything. I used flower netting and several flower cages for supporting. They still bend over. I finally give up and plan to turn it into a rose garden. Roses and other shrubs with strong stems can withstand heavy rain and wind here. My endless summer and limelight hydrangeas all drooped badly.
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bella
I found a wildflower mix from American Meadows for $1. 25. I sowed it last week and am excited to see if it actually blooms. Great idea from you to do this. Please share your pics. Do you watch Gardeners World? Monty Don showed that he sowed his cup and saucer vine sideways. I tried that last year and worked like a charm, but no blooms. I think I started it too late. I'm going to try it. Wish me luck!
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I found a wildflower mix from American Meadows for $1. 25. I sowed it last week and am excited to see if it actually blooms. Great idea from you to do this. Please share your pics. Do you watch Gardeners World? Monty Don showed that he sowed his cup and saucer vine sideways. I tried that last year and worked like a charm, but no blooms. I think I started it too late. I'm going to try it. Wish me luck!
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mswyman100
I've been thinking about doing this on portion of my front lawn.
However, 2 things have caused me to hesitate.
1st. There is a family of deer that routinely traverse that area twice a day,
2nd, i know meadow maintenance requires mowing and raking them in order to eliminate excess nutrients which lead to weaker flowers & stronger grass.
Any suggestions -.
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I've been thinking about doing this on portion of my front lawn.
However, 2 things have caused me to hesitate.
1st. There is a family of deer that routinely traverse that area twice a day,
2nd, i know meadow maintenance requires mowing and raking them in order to eliminate excess nutrients which lead to weaker flowers & stronger grass.
Any suggestions -.
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Catherine
Love it his idea - I-m in NJ zone 6b and am jumping on the mini meadow bandwagon with you! #Leslieharris from #intothegardenwithleslie had a great interview with #dougtallamy that included talk about the benefit of converting grass to native plants ( check out #homegrown nationalpark ) this looks like a great way to accomplish the goal on whatever scale you have.
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Love it his idea - I-m in NJ zone 6b and am jumping on the mini meadow bandwagon with you! #Leslieharris from #intothegardenwithleslie had a great interview with #dougtallamy that included talk about the benefit of converting grass to native plants ( check out #homegrown nationalpark ) this looks like a great way to accomplish the goal on whatever scale you have.
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Linda
Oh wow! I-ve been trying to do something like this for years and it just never takes off so this will help me. I have almost nine acres but some has trees but there is a section that is under a power line that runs diagonal through the property that is low so my goal is plant some again which it is right beside our protege garden. Thanks hugs and love from Texas!
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Oh wow! I-ve been trying to do something like this for years and it just never takes off so this will help me. I have almost nine acres but some has trees but there is a section that is under a power line that runs diagonal through the property that is low so my goal is plant some again which it is right beside our protege garden. Thanks hugs and love from Texas!
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Don
I bought 7 acres out in the prairie of SE Montana many years ago and most of it has not been disturbed (grazed, gardened, etc, and I am amazed at all the wildflowers I am finding over the years including white evening primrose, wild sunflower, cone flower, wall flower, sego lily, etc and many I have not identified yet.
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I bought 7 acres out in the prairie of SE Montana many years ago and most of it has not been disturbed (grazed, gardened, etc, and I am amazed at all the wildflowers I am finding over the years including white evening primrose, wild sunflower, cone flower, wall flower, sego lily, etc and many I have not identified yet.
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Rachelle
About the best wild flower meadow I have seen was the one at Longwood. I saw them start it with groups of 7-11 plugs in an area. I was dubious whether they could establish it from islands of wild flower plugs versus clearing, burning, seed sowing, repeat, but it looked pretty good about 3 years later.
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About the best wild flower meadow I have seen was the one at Longwood. I saw them start it with groups of 7-11 plugs in an area. I was dubious whether they could establish it from islands of wild flower plugs versus clearing, burning, seed sowing, repeat, but it looked pretty good about 3 years later.
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Marie
Regarding Growing a Greener World check back in the archives a particular that features veterans and horses. The episode will touch your heart and make you an even prouder American. Thank you for todays vlog. And I didn't know what you explained about cup and saucer vines. I'll give them a go again.
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Regarding Growing a Greener World check back in the archives a particular that features veterans and horses. The episode will touch your heart and make you an even prouder American. Thank you for todays vlog. And I didn't know what you explained about cup and saucer vines. I'll give them a go again.
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RB
I was wondering the same thing with the annual vine Castor Bean. I've seen it so full of purple color in some areas but mine always have more foliage than flower. I may start mine now. I love the hummingbird arches. I love hummingbirds. Thanks for sharing how you lay down the black plastic (smothering.
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I was wondering the same thing with the annual vine Castor Bean. I've seen it so full of purple color in some areas but mine always have more foliage than flower. I may start mine now. I love the hummingbird arches. I love hummingbirds. Thanks for sharing how you lay down the black plastic (smothering.
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Cindy
Hi, I also stumbled across the Mini Meadow book and ordered from American Meadows. What a joy it was last spring and summer. Thanks for sharing your days on the farm. I am in Northern Arizona zone 6 with a first frost date of 6/8, very short growing season at 7000 ft. But my mini meadow was a joy!
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Hi, I also stumbled across the Mini Meadow book and ordered from American Meadows. What a joy it was last spring and summer. Thanks for sharing your days on the farm. I am in Northern Arizona zone 6 with a first frost date of 6/8, very short growing season at 7000 ft. But my mini meadow was a joy!
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Kimber
Enjoy watching your videos.
I'm getting back to garden this after not doing much garden for 7 years.
My plans are a cottage garden, vegetable garden and a butterfly - garden. and lots of wildflowers.
I have a question for you. Do you know a good place to order rose seeds?
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Enjoy watching your videos.
I'm getting back to garden this after not doing much garden for 7 years.
My plans are a cottage garden, vegetable garden and a butterfly - garden. and lots of wildflowers.
I have a question for you. Do you know a good place to order rose seeds?
reply
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