Deep in the heart of an overgrown forest, a meadow beckons. A slight breeze teases long grasses, and they roll in waves, sending up the scents of springtime, dotted with the blazes of color from wildflowers interspersed in the greenery. This is the glory of nature in its purest form, wild and free, but, by carefully picking wild flowers, you can bring this scene home as a memory.
One thing to keep in mind when picking wild flowers is whether or not the area you’re in allows it. There are many government-protected areas and wildlife parks that don’t allow any sort of plant collecting, and, since the ecosystem is delicately balanced in these areas, that edict should be respected. If you’re unsure whether or not you’re allowed to collect wildflowers, it’s best to just leave them alone.
Keeping this in mind, beauty can be found in the strangest places, and wild flowers are often found in deserted lots and by the side of highways and interstates. Picking wild flowers from these areas is a perfectly legal way to bring a bit of natural beauty into your home. The National Wildflower Preservation Society advises that flowers should only be picked if they are abundant or appear to be growing like weeds, infringing on landscaping. Gathering flowers and whole plants from these areas is perfectly acceptable. If the flowers are scarce, they should be left where they are to increase the chances that they will re-seed and grow again next year.
When picking wild flowers, check blossoms, stems, and leaves carefully for any evidence of pests or disease, as you don’t want to bring these home and run the risk of spreading this through your home or garden. Flowers should be bundled carefully and placed in water as soon as possible to prolong their life. Nourishing vitamin drops can be added to the water as well, just as you would do for store-bought flowers. Display in a prominent, well-lit location and enjoy!
Another method of picking wild flowers is on your own property. There are many online retailers that offer wild flower seeds and even seedlings that you can transplant in your garden. You can also collect plants and seeds directly from the flower’s natural habitat, being careful to avoid protected and private lands and making sure to consult guide books so that you aren’t collecting protected species. Seeds can be collected from the plants in late summer or early autumn, and they can normally be planted in spring after given a chance to dry out. Depending on the species of plant, however, some seeds may need to be chilled over the winterin a refrigerator or have the seed coating scraped to soften it before planting. A bit of research over the Internet or at your local library can help you to make this determination.
When picking wild flower plants from the wild, pay careful attention to the species of plant and its germination and flowering schedule. Plants can be safely collected and transplanted in spring if the flower normally blooms late in the season. If the plant normally blooms in spring and early summer, come back in late summer or early autumn and collect the plant for transplanting. The entire plant should be dug up, making sure to get as many of the native roots as possible. Plant it carefully in your garden, making sure to give it lots of mulch and fertilizer, water and sun, and you’ll have your own personal wild flower garden in no time.
Sources:
Learning About Plants. Southwest Colorado Wildflowers, 2005.
“Wild Flowers.” Britannica Student Encyclopedia. 2005.
Wildflowers. W.L. Corley, 1995.
