Introduction

I wish to take the time to define what it is we do at Holland Wildflower Farm. It has been a pursuit of making native plants from seed available for many years and we are experienced in our approach to what is possible to sell, what to produce, and what we are trying to achieve. It is our goal to promote the use of wild plants in landscaping and land management Further we promote seeding wild flower seeds as the most successful and economical way to promote the native and naturalized plants of an area to colonize.

So we should define some terms to make an understanding of the wonderful resources we have in wildflowers and the philosophy of why we promote using wildflowers in the landscape both for maintenance ease and regionally distinctive designs.

They are found in nature and we must only observe them to use them for our advantage. The birds, butterflies, and other helpful creatures in the environs will benefit and health will abound by the grace of God’s plan for us to live in dominion over the land and those therein. So here goes, we will introduce some terms and triumph the wildflower alternative...

Why wildflowers?

When people think of wild flowers a general picture of a colorful patchwork of flowers and foliage textures emerges. Green background, moving and a random patchwork of color paints itself in my picture, HWF is here to make YOUR wildest wildflower dreams come true. The concept of using wild flower seeds as an alternative to traditional landscape materials and techniques presents a whole different way of gardening and a shift of expectations is in order. Let’s look at some general principles and definitions of naturalized landscaping involving wildflowers.

What is a wildflower?

We use the definitions Laura Martin gives in her Wildflower Meadow Book: It is a flowering plant that grows without intentional cultivation by man.

Given this simple definition, it follows that there could be further distinction and breaking down of the concept to define whether a flower is wild from its origin in a given area, i.e.. native; or if it is naturalized, which indicates it was introduced to a particular region by man but it has survived and reproduced without the aid of man.

As an alternative to using bedding plants for spring and summer color, wild flowers offer a unique variety to the marigold, petunia, begonia routine we have to choose from in “ready-made, standardized gardens” concept. Using wildflowers to decorate your landscape can be more like painting with flower seeds as your medium, on prepared garden soil as your canvas! Hey that’s poetry. There are endless ways to arrange the unique colors and textures they offer but our seed search feature let’s you choose a field like sun or shade, height, color, etc to give you great combination ideas. Also, our very popular wildflowers by color page is a way to do color gardens. And it is time to start planting NOW. Our seed list gives you a working guide of our wildflower seeds, and wild flower seed mixes and an order form when you print it.

It’s like choosing a color scheme for a room: you consider the amount of space, light available, desired effect, then make your choices. It really is a lot more fun than the rubberstamp effect of using bedding plants for spring and summer color, wildflowers offer a unique variety to the marigold, petunia, begonia routine we have to choose from in 'ready-made, standardized gardens'. So branch out! Prepare your soil and sow wild flowers.

Get creative too. For example, I love the red, blue, and yellow combo of an early garden with Johnny jump-ups, baby blue eyes, and scarlet flax, or with an early summer garden of blue flax, Indian blanket, and Coreopsis. The combinations are endless, only limited by the imagination and willingness to learn. But take heart, if you have no imagination for flowers, call us 800-684-3734 and we will help make your wild flower dreams come true. Our online tutorial is helpful on the how-to part.

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P.O. Box 328 Elkins, Arkansas USA 72727

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