Wildflower/sunflower garden

[Alan]

When it comes to ornamentals I pretty much had my share of them back when I worked as a landscaper. Don't get me wrong, I love them, I just can't eat them, and with all the other work going on here at the farm, I just don't have the time to mess with them that much. That being said, every year since I started the business I have made it a very important point to plant a wildflower garden in memory of the woman who inspired me to become a farmer, my gradmother, Doris William Bishop. This year, I used the plot that used to be her home garden, it is paralell to the main hwy which runs through Pekin and part of our county and is also ajacent to our business sighn. I bought two cans of ferry morse wildflower seed, one of perinials, one of mised annual and perinials, and I added in a bunch of hen and chic poppies, shirly poppies, and california poppies, I disced those in and came back and laid off rows which I planted with russian mammoth sunflowers, later this season I will top these flowers off with a border of One Sucker tobaco (pink flower) and German Red Flower and German Blue Flower tobacco. I will be posting pictures this summer!!!
Just my "pretty yet un-eadible" side showing through!
-Alan

[johno]

That's cool, Alan.

Some wildflowers actually are edible... Hopefully someone better versed in flowers than I will expand on that.

Don't overlook the power of flowers to attract beneficial insects. Plant little batches of them here and there interspersed with your vegetables, too, and you will likely see a drop in pest problems. This works especially well if there is a source of water nearby.

Sounds like your grandmother was a great lady!

[lavandulagirl]

Alan, interesting that you have a "pretty and inedible" side. Perhaps I have a homely but edible one? ;D If you end up wanting to plant stuff you can eat, bee balm is a good one - put the petals in your salad, make tea from the leaves... nasturtiums are tasty, too - more of a savory, due to the peppery taste, especially of the leaves. Violets are also edible. There are a ton, and some will self seed for you, eliminating some of the work. I'm looking forward to the pics!

[bluelacedredhead]

Of course sunflower seeds are edible; that is if the birds don't get there first!
Lemon Balm can also be used to add a hint of lemon to a pitcher of sweet tea and it makes a wonderful infusion for the bath.