Deer Resistant Wildflower Seed Mix
This mix prefers full sun exposure and is suitable for ALL USDA Zones. Please read below to learn more about the appearance and growth habits of our Deer-Resistant Wildflower Mix, as well as site preparation, and growing in raised beds and containers.
Composition: Approximately 25% annual & 75% perennial species
Key Varieties: Yarrow (White), Corneflower (Tall Blue), Godetia, Coreopsis Lance Leaf, Foxglove (Purple), Purple Conflower, California Poppy (Orange), Blanket Flower, Candytuft (Mixed Colors), Wild Perennial Lupine, Forget-Me-Not (Blue), Black-Eyed Susan, and Columbine (McKana Giant Mix).
Benefits: This deer-resistant mix provides long-lasting seasonal color, pollinator habitat, and erosion control while minimizing browsing damage. Its perennial base (75%) ensures enduring beauty year after year, while annuals (25%) offer quick first-season blooms. Together they create a vibrant meadow of layered color, attracting butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds without needing replanting. The mix also improves soil structure, enhances biodiversity, and thrives with minimal maintenance once established.
Benefits for Suburban Gardeners
For suburban gardeners facing frequent deer browsing, this mix offers an elegant, low-maintenance solution for both beauty and biodiversity. These plants emit strong scents, bitter sap, or possess fuzzy or toxic foliage that deer instinctively avoid. Foxglove, Yarrow, and Lupine in particular are naturally unpalatable. This helps maintain a full, colorful garden even in neighborhoods with heavy deer traffic.
Appearance & Growth Habit
|
Height |
Varieties |
Description |
|
Tall (24–36 in+) |
Foxglove, Purple Coneflower, Wild Lupine, Black-Eyed Susan, Columbine McKana Giant Mix |
Upright spires and daisy-like heads create vertical interest and attract pollinators. |
|
Medium (12–24 in) |
Blanket Flower, Coreopsis Lance Leaf, Cornflower Tall Blue, Godetia |
Cheerful midsummer bloomers with radiant yellows, blues, and pinks. |
|
Low (under 12 in) |
Candytuft Mixed Colors, Yarrow White, California Poppy Orange, Forget-Me-Not Blue |
Early bloomers forming soft ground-covering mats or mounds of color. |
Together, these heights produce a naturally tiered tapestry—from low spring color to tall summer drama.
Site Preparation
- Select a sunny location: At least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Clear the area: Remove weeds, sod, and debris.
- Loosen soil: Till or rake top 2–3 inches for good seed-to-soil contact.
- No heavy fertilization: These wildflowers thrive in moderately fertile or even lean soils.
- Sow evenly: Broadcast seed over prepared soil, lightly rake, and gently tamp down.
- Water: Keep soil moist until seedlings are 2–3 inches tall, then allow to dry slightly between waterings.
Spring vs. Fall Sowing
- Spring Sowing (March–May): Seeds germinate as soil warms; annuals (Godetia, Cornflower, California Poppy) bloom the first year, with perennials establishing for the following season.
- Fall Sowing (September–November): Ideal for natural meadows; cold-stratifies perennials (Lupine, Columbine, Coneflower, Yarrow) for robust spring germination and earlier blooms.
Both methods work well—choose spring for immediate color and fall for stronger perennial stands.
Growing in Containers, Grow Bags, and Raised Beds
This mix can thrive beautifully in deep containers (12–18 in), grow bags, or raised beds, provided good drainage and full sun.
- Soil: Use a light, well-draining mix (2 parts potting soil + 1 part coarse sand or perlite).
- Water: Keep consistently moist but never water-logged.
- Spacing: Broadcast seeds thinly; overcrowding reduces bloom size.
- Design tip: Combine tall species toward the center or back (Coneflower, Foxglove), medium in mid-zone (Blanket Flower, Coreopsis), and low species along edges (Candytuft, Poppies, Forget-Me-Nots).
- Maintenance: Deadhead spent blooms to prolong flowering; after seed set, allow some to self-sow for next season.
Container and raised-bed planting is perfect for patios, pollinator corners, and smaller urban spaces where deer pressure may still be present.
