Gardening with Gary

Gardening Advice from an Expert

Wildflowers

Member Cheryl writes: Gary, we just bought our first house and we live on a hill I have seen these purple flowers and there so pretty they just about cover the whole hill could you tell me the name of them and if this is a good idea to cover a big hill thanks.

A. I would need a picture to tell you for sure their name. They are most definitely a wildflower common to your climate zone. There are many families all across the world, the name depending upon where you live.

They certainly sound like a very good ground cover. Nature has a way of helping itself in various ways. By having these flowering plants growing on a hill, the roots keep the soil from eroding and washing down to the bottom. The flowers bring in bees and other insects for the needed pollination, and then send them over to work on neighboring flowers, too, including fruit blossoms. Some are spring-flowering, some summer.

There are sources for wildflower seed packets available in many countries. Two that I like in the US are:

Peaceful Valley Farm
www.groworganic.com

Pinetree Garden Seeds
www.superseeds.com