Wallflowers, an old-fashioned English flower, come in a range of bright shades — yellows, oranges, reds and maroons — and begin blooming in early spring. Wallflowers were named after the way they favored living in walls and other well-drained crevices. While you may need to start wallflowers with seeds, they will become a bold accent in your garden with continual blooms in stunning hues.
Step One
English and Siberian Varieties - English and Siberian are the two main varieties of wallflowers. The English varieties are characteristically purple, white and pink, while the Siberians lean more to the orange, red and yellow end of the spectrum. Wallflowers bloom continually from spring until fall and may even bloom themselves to death. While the wallflower is often a biennial, many consider it an annual as it has a tendency to bloom with such fervency that it will only make it through its first year.
Step Two
Growing Conditions - Wallflowers grow in USDA hardiness zones 6 to 10 from plants or seeds depending on what you can find in the garden center. Wallflowers require lots of drainage, can tolerate drought and require full sun although they can tolerate periods of light shade. If your soil has a high concentration of clay, mix coarse sand and compost into the soil to prepare it for the wallflowers. The bush-like mound of flowers can grow to height of 1 to 2 feet.
Step Three
Best Planting Areas - Use wallflowers in a butterfly garden, for borders or in a bed of their own. Consider planting seedlings along a roadside leading to your home for a bright pop of color. While the plants tend to over-bloom, you can take cuttings and propagate or collect seeds at the end of the season. The wallflower can be planted along walkways and driveways and are equally at home in an English-style garden and a cottage-style garden. The clove-scented blooms are also a good addition to fragrance gardens and can be cut for bouquets.