This Week in Wildflower Gardening

Take a look at this brand new website which lets you search all the popular wildflowers by color, region, native area, color, height, and more. There are also all-new feature stories about Endangered Species, Invasive Species, Wildflower Folklore, The History of Wildflowers, etc. This site is easy to use, easy to read, and really useful, for a beginner or expert. Take a look: WildflowerInformation.org

All over the northern states, the leaves are falling, and the wildflower meadows are being mowed. But don't stop gardening! Now's the time to begin growing an amaryllis inside. If you've never done it, now's the time, since if you get one soon, it'll be in full bloom for Christmas. I couldn't believe how they work the first time I grew one--huge flowers with no work. The flowers are great, and any gardener loves having something growing and green to enjoy while the winter winds blow. Our indoor growing kits are only 9.95, and you have your choice of white, pink, red or striped. Send them to your friends, but be sure to get one for yourself. And enjoy.

Our friends at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Texas have a really wonderful photo gallery of hummers on their website right now. It's a great chance to see the various species, and know the ones to look for in your meadow. Here's the link: http://www.wildflower.org/?nd=2062

It's here. The month that is great for putting in a meadow in almost every state and province. October marks the beginning of planting time in most of California. It's the best time for people in South Florida to plant wild annuals for winter bloom. And in the entire east and midwest, it's time for fall dormant plantings. That means putting in wildflower seed after your first killing frost. Fall planted seed will be up and in bloom about two weeks earlier than the same seed planted next spring. So now's the time. Put in a meadow or add more of your favorite species. And while you're doing it, you can add spring flower bulbs with no extra work, for even earlier color. Enjoy!