Wildflower seeds are sold either in preset boxes or by the pound. The seeds can be scattered in a meadow or placed in a special area within a more formal garden setting. In fact, the unpredictable nature of wildflowers is what makes them perfect for setting off the formality of an organized garden. Set against straight rows and clumped colors, wildflowers add a touch of the unpredictable.

To use wildflower seeds in the context of a meadow, you need to prepare the soil. Remove all vegetation from the area in advance and add some sand to the seed mixture. By adding sand you get a better, more even distribution of seeds. The sand provides color against the dark ground and also some weight when scattering the seeds.

You can scatter lightly or heavily as your preference dictates. Seeds can be planted in the late fall, after the frost, and the plants will be ready to bloom come springs. Otherwise, planting them in spring is fine as well. Since wildflowers set blooms and those blooms create seeds, you rarely need to do more than occasionally fill in areas that are getting thin.

When placing wildflower seeds in a garden, the best method is to set apart an area that is designated for wildflowers. Clear the patch of weeds and other plants, and then place your seeds as thickly as you desire. The way the flowers come up is determined by their nature and the mixture you bought. It is nice to have some variety that you have no control over, just like in nature.