Wildflower Program

Growing Tips

Although the Georgia DOT Wildflower Program is planted on a large scale using bulk seed purchases from wholesalers, you can also incorporate wildflowers into your home gardens on a much smaller scale. Below are some tips that we hope will help get the best results for your garden.

Wildflowers

• Most wildflower seeds can be planted between October and December. An exception is Cosmos, which is not tolerant of cold soil and weather. Cosmos should be planted between May and July for optimum results.
• Choose a level sunny site. Most wildflowers thrive well in well-drained soil.
• Choose a seed or seed mix that will perform well in the type of soil that is being planted.
• Eliminate as much of the current vegetation as possible, then mow any remaining or dead vegetation as low to the ground as possible.
• Rake or lightly till the soil to no more than an inch in depth. Deeply tilling the soil could result in awakening dormant weed seeds. Plus, the seeds only need to be planted at 1/8th of an inch deep.
• Broadcast seed over the prepared bed at the seed manufacturer’s recommended seeding rate.
• Press the seed into the soil by walking over it or using a roller, to a depth of around 1/8th of an inch.
• Adequate water is critical during germination and seedling establishment.
• A few wildflower varieties are reseeding annuals that may re-bloom the next growing season. You can help them by collecting the seed from the seed head about two weeks after blooming has ended, and spread them over your wildflower bed.
• For more information about planting wildflowers visit the University of Georgia’s website at or contact your County Cooperative Extension office.

Daffodils

We added Daffodils to our program in the fall of 2006. Besides adding color to your roads during a time of year when there is not much, Daffodils require little maintenance and will bloom year after year. Below are some tips to help you get Daffodils growing in your home garden.

• Daffodil bulbs should be planted in late fall, when the soil temperature has cooled. A good rule of thumb for Georgia is to plant between the end of October and Thanksgiving.
• Choose a sunny site that is well-drained. Slopes and hillsides are excellent, but a flat area is alright, as long as it is not constantly wet. Soggy soil will cause the bulbs to rot. If planting among trees, choose a site that has deciduous trees.
• Dig a hole that is about 2 to 3 times the diameter of the bulb in depth and 2 times the diameter in width. You may place a little compost in the bottom of the hole for nutrition, but most experts advise against using bonemeal, as it attracts animals that might dig up the bulbs.
• Place one bulb in each hole with the top (pointed end) up, cover with soil and water well.
• Depending on the variety, your Daffodils will bloom anywhere from February to April.
• After they have finished blooming, do not cut the foliage until it yellows, usually in May. This helps the bulbs grow stronger for next year’s blooms.
• For more information about Daffodils visit the websites for the Georgia Daffodil Society or contact your County Cooperative Extension office.