I'm looking for a low-growing flower that can take over my un-mowable steep hill. Right now, it's just covered in grass and weeds, and I want to till it up and plant some colorful, aggressive flowers that will spread rapidly and come back every year without too much maintenance—ideally under a foot tall and thriving in full sun. I'm in zone 5A, which plays a big role in plant choice. I've thought about creeping phlox, but I've heard they don't germinate easily from seed, and I want to avoid spending too much on individual plants to cover the entire area. Any suggestions?
3 Answers
If you’re looking for some wildflower options, how about a mix? Partridge pea, zinnias, and sunflowers grow easily in your zone and will spread nicely. Just remember to avoid those cheap wildflower mixes that might bring in invasives. You're set for a flowering explosion if you carefully select your seeds!
You should definitely check out Prairie Moon's seed mixes. They have options that work well for your region, and if you're looking for single flowers, native asters are a great pick. They're easy to grow from seed and return year after year without needing cold stratification. Perfect for taking over your hill!
Good to mention that asters spread quickly too. A nice, low-maintenance choice!
Consider planting yarrow! It's drought-resistant, spreads easily, and has some medicinal benefits to boot. Just make sure to try and find the native variety to avoid any invasive issues. It could create a beautiful sea of yellow on your hill.
Absolutely! Just ensure you get the wild type and not a cultivar.
Yeah, you can also add some cool grasses like little bluestem or prairie dropseed for texture.