I have about 1/3 acre that I'd like to plant with wildflowers in the McKinney/Allen area. The purpose is to provide a bit of an eye block beetween the back of my property and a new development that's going in. This area isn't yet irrigated (formerly used to grow corn/wheat/etc.), has no trees yet, and gets loads of sun.

Can someone recommend (1) a wildflower seed supplier, (2) any specific wildflowers or mixes that are bird and butterfly friendly and are drought tolerant? Is there anything special I'll need to do to prepare the soil?

Thanks,
Sheryl

As far as bluebonnets go, I have been able to find them in 2" and 4" pots at Northaven Gardens (my second home) in Dallas. However, if you visit Lady Bird Johnson's Wildflower Centre website - www.wildlfower.org - you will find a lot of information about seeds. suppliers, growing and other information that may help you. I have never had any luck (when we had real acreage in Johnson County) trying to get "imported" seed to grow. I always had to depend on Mother Nature and good late winter/early spring rainfall to have any wildflowers. Lady Bird's place is a delight to visit, should you have some time to get lost among the wildflowers....

Check out Native American Seed at http://www.seedsource.com/

I have 1/2 acre backyard that I too want to place wildflowers as a buffer too. In creating a naturalized area of wildflowers do I have to scrape the pasture grass off first or can I just spread the seed out and water in?

BTW, I am in Johnson county.

Thanks for the help.
Bryan

Wildseed Farms in Fredricksburg is also and good source for seeds and they sell them in bulk.

Three years ago we tried the just mow and toss seeds method of wildflower gardening and I don't think a single seed sprouted. When we turned over the sod and scraped and added a sprinkling of compost, the same area had many wildflowers, some we didn't even have seed for. I think mabye it is the disturbed soil that is important, otherwise the tiny plants can't compete.