Wildflowers, specifically native species, are valuable to our desert ecosystem. Native wildflowers provide food for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators who support the growth of our agricultural crops. Beyond supporting our ecosystem’s health and biodiversity, wildflowers offer lots of colors to any landscape – with minimal water demand.

Thanks to a generous donation from Valley of the Sun Quail Forever, native pollinator seed packets are available at each of the Glendale Public Library branches in the Seed Library checkout. The seeds are all naturally found in Arizona’s low desert region and support the restoration of natural wildlife habitats. Avoid wildflower or “meadow” mixes from other parts of the country or world that can be invasive and detrimental to our native wildlife or require different soil temperatures, types and watering needs not naturally available in our region. The ideal wildflower seeds to consider are locally grown or collected, such as Mexican Gold Poppies, Desert Marigolds, Mexican Blanket Flower or Desert Bluebells.  

When should you plant wildflowers? Start now! Fall is the best time to plant wildflowers in preparation for colorful blooms in the springtime, between February and April. Scatter the seed mix over the chosen area and lightly rake into the soil surface or scratch into granite areas or around boulders. You want to spread the seeds evenly throughout the area for a beautiful display in the spring.

What’s next? If we get winter rains, there is no need for water. Otherwise, water the planted area two to three times weekly to germinate, then only once every three to four weeks. Planting wildflowers is easy since most wildflowers are annuals and will set seeds after blooming. You can collect the seeds yourself and sow the next fall or allow them to fall to the ground. The seeds attract birds to feast on the seeds, however, any left behind will reseed themselves for the next year.

Don’t forget to stop by any of the four Glendale Public Library branches to check out free native Sonoran wildflower seed packets! View the full seed catalog here.