Flowers for the home and beyond: Wallflowers – versatile flowers in every shade of the rainbow

Wallflowers are versatile flowers ranging from bright yellow to orange, pink, burgundy and purple.

Wallflowers are considered shrubs, groundcovers and bedding plants that bloom well with spring bulbs and sprout beautiful flowers through muddy cracks in brick or cement walls.

Wallflowers grow best in warm climates and well-drained soil that dries out fairly quickly. The plant can also tolerate very alkaline soil.

Here are the basic care requirements for growing wallflowers:

1. Plant wallflowers in a sunny location protected from wind.
2. Use well-drained soil that is slightly sandy or fine.
3. Do not plant in wet, damp or poorly drained areas and do not overwater.

Light

Wallflowers should be grown in a bright sunny position. Although they can tolerate partial shade, they will thrive in full sun.

Soil

Well-drained, dry to medium-dry soils are ideal for wallflowers. Wallflowers do not tolerate overly wet soil, so avoid planting them in particularly wet areas of your garden or in poorly drained soil, which can cause the plant to die.

Watering

Wallflowers are considered drought-tolerant, and therefore do not require too much water. Water wallflowers regularly as they become established, then prune them when they mature.

Fertilizer

Wallflowers do not require much fertilizer to grow, and in fact, fertilizing is generally not recommended. Simply mix compost into the soil when first planting.

Pruning

Pruning spent blooms is important to keep wallflowers healthy and lush. To encourage continuous blooming, pinch out spent flowers regularly. After the plants have finished blooming, or in early spring in warm climates, cut the stems back at least by half to keep them from becoming leggy.

In cooler climates, cut them back in the fall to just a few inches above the soil, and they will reward you with bushy new growth once the temperatures warm up again.