Two years ago I opted for a wildflower plot. The first year was great with a wide variety. This year is another story with was quite different with only maybe three different flowers one of which seem to take over the entire area. It seemed they took forever to bloom and once they did they were practically 5' tall and blocked out the rest. Well just last week I pulled everything out of the ground. Lately I have noticed a bunch of I DON'T KNOW WHAT. Would someone kindly advise what I have and had from the attached photos and what maybe what I should expect next spring. Thanks MUCH
1st Year


1st Year


?? Large Wildflower This Year


Currently

The problem with wildflowers is that the hardiest survive and crowd out the rest. The Coreopsis will win every time. I plant wildflowers in my yard but I choose mixes that don't contain certain plants (Coreopsis, Yarrow, Blanket Daisy, ) and instead choose mixes with smaller growers (Toadflax, Five Spot, California Poppies...). If you can't find a mix, buy packets of specific plants. And be prepared to reseed every year if you want certain flowers to come back.

#3 maybe Evening Primrose?
#4 I see some Bindweed and grass but the rest are too small to really tell.

Maybe instead of annuals that bloom once and are gone, you could opt for some perennial wildflowers: Lupine, Columbine, Foxglove... that will bloom longer and add a more consistent look to your garden. Then toss in the annual seeds to fill up the spaces.

I think it's somewhat of a myth that it's easy to establish a wildflower garden...

I would consider checking to see what perennial wildflowers grow (naturally) in your area, pick some that you like, and plant those. Maybe milkweed, black-eyed susan, coneflower, perennial bachelor button, monarda, yarrow, flax (I'm not actually sure that's a perennial, but it is a 'roadside weed' here), old-fashioned daylilies (aka "ditch weed" around here), and, as Daisy mentioned, lupine, columbine, and foxglove. Starting from plants -- either purchased or started yourself from seeds and grown for a year or two -- might also give you a better chance of them not getting overrun by the weeds.

I hope you'll keep us updated on your progress!

Regarding the one kind of seedling that's most prevalent, does it feel somewhat succulent? Looks like Portulaca oleracea (purslane) or umbraticola (ornamental purslane/the other moss roses.) If that's not it, try adding a much closer pic.

This past summer replanted from his patch milkweed in my yard and when the fall arrived I took the pods and spread the seeds on the slope on airport property ( which they don't mind) I've been here over forty years and each year I've planted various perennials, shrubs, ornamental grasses to mention a few. I am anxious to see how the milkweed does. It's pretty orange blossom. Hopefully, in late spring I will share some flicks of the area just mentioned.
Thanks to all for all the advice given on the range of wildflowers.

Below: Wildflower scene in Huntsville, a town in cottage country, Muskoka Region, southern Ontario (July 12, 2010). Took it that this was the result of a bit of disturbed land having been colonized by wild flowers. Think I was lucky enough to come along to see how things stood at that point in time.

I'm guessing that it would be a rather extreme challenge to try to produce such an effect, as this, through horticultural means.

Awesome! The area which I have to cover is roughly 20' X 75' which at one time was strewn with wild rose bushes, sumac, and a variety of weeds. At the bottom of the slope is a creek or runoff which runs around the perimeter of the airport. Over the years I have somewhat added mulch from grass clippings, leaves, and other natural growth as well. Currently, it's covered with snow with no sense of taking a picture of. However hopefully this summer I will have something to show to everyone.

If there are tons of butterflies and bees, you'll know you have succeeded!

Sounds good, Walter.
As folks above, am interested to see how it goes.

What a great project! And lucky the airport says OK.

Your goal is.. mix of showy flowers all summer and fall? support insects and be native plants? You chose wildflower mix because it should be self perpetuating and full of flowers?

Black eyed susans should colonize
wild milkweed, collect seeds in fall and throw them there.
Pycnanthemum aka mountain mint is a hands down winner in our native garden at work. Insanely loved by huge variety of insects when it is in bloom. If you find plants to buy, they will spread very well. It won't look flowery and showy, though.
Cosmos, the purple pink tall ones, I thought they would self sow but apparently they can't compete. My problem with cosmos is how late they are giving any flowers.
Yarrow, if happy will spread.
Ditch lilies, not my choice but will last forever, bloom in July, be showy.

It does look like purslane is a lot of that. With no help, you'll have a lot of weedy unflowery stuff. Yes, wild evening primrose which is OK to me, it blooms, is native, will colonize and compete.. I think I see orange wallflower which I think is not native to the area.

If you think about it, if fields full of flowers all summer was a naturally occurring thing, then.. they would occur, but they don't.

But I have learned at work that a few bright flowers will make up for a good amount of weeds. Maybe you can plant starter plants, surround each with grass mulch, hope they spread over time. Learn about your volunteers, you may want to keep some (mullein, late flowering boneset are two more that I'd expect)