It's time for me to sow wildflower seeds; I bought a package of Indian paintbrush seeds when I visited Wildflower Seed Farm. Have anyone tried growing these and had luck in getting them to bloom?

Several years ago, I bought a pack of seeds from Lady Bird Johnson and only one germinated and bloomed. Then it promptly died.

I'm tossing out more bluebonnet seeds which I collected from last year. I have several clumps of bluebonnets that selfsowed.

What are you sowing?

Nothing yet. Thanks for the reminder!

The only tip I have to pass along regarding Indian Paintbrushes is that they are parasitic. They steal nutrients from neighboring plants, which is fine.

I never knew that!

And.... then there's a list of "hemi parasitic" plants in my meadow...

Means not removing the grass, if you want the wildflowers...

Unfortunately, I haven't had a lot of luck growing these plants from seed that I've collected... which means that to grow them... I have to rely on the natural seedbank... "weeds" to some.

I look at the pretty pics of the paintbrush out in Texas... And know that it would likely be wasted effort to attempt planting...

I get a few clumps of paintbrushes every year, but I have no control over when or where they appear. They are more finicky than bluebonnets or Indian Blankets.

Here's a clump of bluebonnet - a seed must have gotten into the windowbox:



I have seedlings springing up all over!

I've sowed some paintbrush seeds but not sure if there's germination. Also Texas bluebell seeds; I've had some success with these before.

I have had a lot of problems trying to have bluebonnets and paintbrushes in my yard till this year. Now I know that they will not grow on my clay soil unless I add sand and build up the level of the soil where they are planted. The rain must be able to both run off after a rain, and it must be able to penetrate the soil while it is raining. Beyond that, about all I have to do is protect them from the mower.

If you need a few seed, send me a message, and I will be able to send you a few in about a month.

Yeh! The seeds I got from wildflower farm are putting on a show! I'm so excited!

@WAMcCormick thanks for your offer. My bluebonnets come back
every year and hopefully the Indian paintbrush with have some seeds for me.

Well it's that time of the year, sowing bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, etc.
I have many clumps of bluebonnets already; they look ok even with this heat with some watering. We are now under voluntary water restrictions.

Im hoping the Indian paintbrush will return in the spring but I'm going to add more seeds to be sure.

I like to buy wildflower mixes, sow in late fall, and then see what grows. All the seed manufacturers have their own blends. I have found that to be the quickest way to see what your zone will support.

Well, bluebonnets should be planted in the fall, obviously! I don't think I've got any blooming yet. That's the way it usually is. February is usually too early on my hill.

I always wondered why we don't plant wildflowers at the time they normally plant themselves which would be shortly after they bloom and set seeds. Any thoughts?

porkpal said: I always wondered why we don't plant wildflowers at the time they normally plant themselves which would be shortly after they bloom and set seeds. Any thoughts?

Lol, I've thought about that many times. If they are climate-appropriate, the seeds should survive the winter. However, sowing as early as mid/late summer (after they bloom in spring) in cultivated beds creates a longer window for disturbances from wind, weather, animal consumption and especially human activity. In my garden, self-seeders usually sprout in uncultivated areas around the edges of beds and paths, rarely where I'd like them to grow!

porkpal said: I always wondered why we don't plant wildflowers at the time they normally plant themselves which would be shortly after they bloom and set seeds.

That's exactly when I sow them.

The perennial wildflower seeds mature and drop from the plant at the correct time for planting around here.

porkpal said: I always wondered why we don't plant wildflowers at the time they normally plant themselves which would be shortly after they bloom and set seeds. Any thoughts?

Agreed! And why do folks scarify when nature does it normally. Does mankind think we can do it better?

Actually, I get scarify...
I've planted a ton of seeds that didn't grow...

Those same seeds will grow when scarified.

If we wanted to do it the same as Mother Nature... We'd ingest the seeds & poop on top of the ground....

Yes, my pigs and chickens are experts at starting seeds.

As are all the visiting birds as is evidenced by the volunteer plants under the power lines on my driveway.

I've had wild birds and wild animals plant seeds I knew didn't come from my place! Of course, some were unwanted weeds, but once in a while they're beautiful native plants, also!