What you should know about planting a wildflower garden

by Terese Ferrara Serving San Jose and the Bay Area 06/08/2025

For gardeners who enjoy a natural aesthetic, planting a wildflower garden might seem like the well-known choice for enhancing a home landscape. Many seed companies offer instant wildflower gardens in various solutions, but it takes more work than simply scattering seeds and hoping they become wild plants.

If you want to know more about wildflower gardens and whether they’re the right choice for your outdoor space, here is a basic guide to help:

What exactly is a wildflower garden?

A “wildflower” is any species of flower that has proven to be hardy and self-producing in a given area, regardless of human intervention. However, even if wildflowers grow successfully on their own, they aren’t always native plants. That said, most wildflowers thrive with poor soil and neglect, making them the perfect denizens of a low-maintenance garden.

What are the benefits of a wildflower garden?

The primary benefit of planting wildflowers in your outdoor space is that they can be a simple, low maintenance foundation of your garden. Growing wildflowers can help improve soil fertility and prevent erosion. They also tend to attract beneficial insects like bees and butterflies.

How to plant a wildflower garden

Here are some expert tips for growing wildflowers:

  • Plant individual plants or individual plant seeds. Unfortunately, wildflower seed mixes are not as successful as focusing on individual plants.
  • Rake the ground before and after spreading the seeds.
  • Water the entire area thoroughly, as the seeds need to stay moist until the sprouts are a few inches tall. To help retain moisture, add a light layer of mulch.

Is a wildflower garden right for you? Keep these basic tips in mind when considering adding wildflower plants to your outdoor space.

About the Author
Author

Terese Ferrara Serving San Jose and the Bay Area

Terese Ferrara is a long-time resident of the Bay Area and has been a partner with the Goss | Ferrara Real Estate Team. She and her husband raised their two daughters in San Jose, where she successfully continues to build her real estate career. 

After earning a bachelor’s degree from San Jose State University, she went on to teach in the San Jose Unified School District for 9 years. Transitioning to real estate was a logical choice, utilizing her patient demeanor to educate all levels of buyers and sellers. Knowledge and experience demonstrate her vested interest in delivering the highest level of care and professionalism to every client. She consistently strives to exceed her client’s expectations throughout the entire real estate transaction and remains a trusted advisor long after each close. 

As a board member on KW Bay Area Estates’ Associate Leadership Council (ALC), she aids in support of culture and professional development strategies for over 180 associates. Terese is also a Director for the Santa Clara County Association of Realtors Foundation, which supports community service initiatives in Silicon Valley. 

Terese is the consummate real estate professional dedicated to providing unparalleled service to her clients through ongoing training and education, keeping her on top of the dynamic market and latest real estate trends. Her high-touch approach coupled with honesty and integrity support her commitment to her client’s real estate needs.