SOWING GUIDE
Wildflowers
Shade Blend
Best Time
Spring (direct sowing)
Care
Low once established
Shelf Life
Up to 2 years
Difficulty
Easy
Profile
Wildflowers
Shade Blend · 16 species
Pollinator-Friendly
Annuals + Perennials
BLOOM
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
All summer long
Sun / Part shade
60-75 cm
This blend is designed for areas that receive diffuse or indirect light — for example along the north side of a building or a hedge. All flowers prefer full sun, but the varieties in this blend thrive without it. Note: none of these plants survive in full shade. They still need light, just not direct sunlight. It brings together 16 species — roughly half annuals, the rest perennials and biennials — for colourful blooms all summer long. Pollinator-friendly: attracts bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects.
When to sow?
Spring
Direct sowing · Ideal
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Sowing with a slight risk of frost is possible
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Favour spring for annual species
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Blooms as early as the first summer
Autumn
Possible
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A percentage of seeds may be lost
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Risk of loss due to rain, birds or animals
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To maximize annuals, prefer spring sowing
Choosing and preparing the site
Choose a part-shade location — not full shade
These plants need light, even indirect. Good spots: the north side of a building or hedge, under a tree with a light canopy, or an area that receives sun for part of the day only. In dense, full shade, none of these species will thrive.
Check soil quality before sowing
If nothing grows in that spot (not even weeds), it's a warning sign: the soil may be poor, poorly drained, or in need of amendments. In such areas — like under a large cedar — few plants will thrive, including wildflowers.
Clear existing vegetation
Remove as much vegetation as possible (by pulling or tilling) to reduce competition. Loosen the soil by scratching, raking or lightly tilling. Wildflower blends generally don't take hold in existing lawns, as grass prevents seeds from making contact with the soil.
Do not sow into existing grass
Grass litter prevents seeds from touching the soil — an essential condition for germination. Always prepare the surface before sowing.
How to sow?
Step 1
Mix seeds with dry sand
For more even distribution, mix 1 to 2 parts dry, clean sand with 1 part seeds. Do not use beach sand — it contains salt.
Step 2
Broadcast sow over the prepared surface
Scatter seeds by hand. Don't be surprised — some flower seeds are extremely small, like a speck of dust.
Step 3
Do not bury deeply
Seeds must be in contact with the soil to germinate. Do not bury them more than 2 to 3 times their thickness. A light press is all that's needed.
Step 4
Set some seeds aside
Keep a few seeds to fill in bare patches later.
With wildflowers, the goal isn't perfection — it's the joy of watching nature surprise you year after year!
Care
Watering at the start
Keep the sown area as moist as possible to encourage germination and establishment of young plants. Weeds should be kept under control at this stage.
Little watering once established
Once plants are well established, most blends require no additional watering, except during prolonged periods of heat and drought.
Blend longevity
This blend can self-regenerate for several years, but will eventually benefit from re-sowing. At the end of summer, many species produce seed heads that you can harvest and replant the following spring.
Harvest seed heads at the end of summer and re-sow in spring to maintain and enrich your blend year after year.
Informations
Glossary
Broadcast sowing: scattering seeds evenly across the entire prepared surface.
Cluster sowing: placing several seeds in the same small hole.
Indoor sowing: starting seeds in trays indoors before transplanting outside once the risk of frost has passed.
Re-sowing: spreading new seeds over an already established area to renew or thicken the blend
Storage
Keep in a cool, dry place away from light. Shelf life up to 2 years.
Blooming depends on many environmental factors (planting period, temperatures, sunlight). Mayline Confection is not responsible for blooming results.