Many perennial wildflowers will not perform at their best until after they have been established in the garden for a year. With annuals, you have to plan on either replanting the following year or count on the plant re-seeding itself in the garden. Seed catalogs and nurseries carry many wildflower varieties. If you want only a few specific wildflowers, purchasing growing plants or buying seed packets may be your best choice. Started plants offer you the advantage of avoiding the germination stage and may give you a better idea of what a plant really looks like.
Mixtures are a popular way of purchasing wildflowers.
While there are started-plant mixtures available, seed mixtures are among the most common combinations. Mixtures offer the advantage of combining a wide range of species that offer the opportunity for a full season of color and growth. Mixtures also offer the free-form look of varying heights, sizes and colors, one of the natural appeals of wildflowers. These are the best bet for obtaining the meadow look. Like individual plants and seeds, mixtures come in designations that will do best in sunny locations or shady locations.