My house is built into a mountain. I recently had steps built into the hillside in order to access the back of the house more easily. The clearing of a lightning struck tree transformed a sunny location from what had been deep shade. Birds and carelessness had already planted some butterfly weed and louisiana irises along the hill. The workmen threw the dirt from carving the steps onto one side of the hill and threw some wildflower seeds onto it. To prevent erosion they covered it all with straw.
The irises and and butterfly weed have been tough and survived. I don't expect much from your basic wildflower seed packet. I plan to move young pollinator plants to this spot later in the season. As Arkansas approaches the heat of the summer, I am keeping seedlings in pots and will transfer them to their new setting in the fall. I am curious to see what will flourish.
