Knowledgebase

Did I plant my flowers too close? #866463

Asked April 30, 2024, 12:38 PM EDT

Hello! I winter sowed some wild flowers (list of seeds below) on a little patch I prepared in my yard and had a much higher germination rate than I anticipated! See photo. Should I get in and thin these out somehow or just let them do their thing? If I thin out, how do you recommend I do it? Thanks! Laura Asclepias tuberosa - Butterfly Milkweed (P) Callistephus chinensis - China Aster (A) Centaurea cyanus - Bachelor's Button (A) Cheiranthus allionii - Siberian Wallflower (P) Clarkia amoena - Godetia (A) Coreopsis lanceolata - Lanceleaf Coreopsis (P) Coreopsis tinctoria - Plains Coreopsis (P) Delphinium consolida - Larkspur, Rocket (A) Echinacea purpurea - Purple Coneflower (P) Eschscholzia californica - California Poppy (A) Gaillardia aristata - Blanket Flower (P) Gaillardia pulchella - Indian Blanket (A) Iberis umbellate - Candytuft (A) Liatris spicata - Blazing Star (P) Lobularia maritima - Sweet Alyssum (A) Lupinus perennis - Perennial Lupine (P) Monarda citriodora - Lemon Mint (A) Ratibida columnifera - Prairie Coneflower (P) Rudbeckia hirta - Black-eyed Susan (P) Salvia coccinea - Scarlet Sage (A)

Hamilton County Ohio

Expert Response


Thank you for a most interesting question. Leaving it as it is will continue to lead in

overgrowth. They do need to be thinned out. First remove any weeds or undesired

plants that you find. Then begin to remove the varieties that have overgrown to just a few of

them. Overcrowding will lead to your patch becoming less manageable and attractive. Also

consider in the fall mowing the patch down to about three inches to promote new growth

next year and provide a habitat for overwintering insects.

   I have listed a few links that may help you with this undertaking and I also listed your

County OSU Extension Service should you wish to contact them for possible advice. Hopefully

this will give you some in-site on your concerns. Feel free to contact us if you desire

additional questions.

   Thank you again for allowing us to help you with your gardening questions. Here are some

other helpful websites that may be of interest to you:


BYGL
Newsletter
: http://bygl.osu.edu/
OSUE
Fact Sheets
: http://ohioline.osu.edu
State
Master Gardener Volunteer website
- http://mastergardener.osu.edu

Ask-An-Expert
website -
https://extension.osu.edu/ask-an-expert

Ask-A-Master Gardener website -
https://extension.osu.edu/https%3A/extension.osu.edu/ask-an-expert/ask-master-gardener-volunteer

Hamilton County OSU Extension Office


2055 Reading Road, Suite 500
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Phone:<personal data hidden>
Fax:<personal data hidden>
Link:

Visit
the Hamilton County Office website



https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/fgen/cut-back-wildflowers.htm

https://www.bobvila.com/articles/wildflower-garden/

https://www.americanmeadows.com/content/wildflowers/how-to/end-of-season-maintenance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvxJ5bbLWQY





MGV Seneca County Replied May 05, 2024, 7:12 PM EDT

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