City of Richardson Parks & Recreation Department. Wildflower Planting Program

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1 City of Richardson Parks & Recreation Department Wildflower Planting Program

2 Breckinridge Park 1990 The City of Richardson distinguishes itself from neighboring cities with the first blanket of wildflowers The City of Richardson Parks and Recreation Director at the time, David Loughridge, envisioned growing wildflowers annually throughout the City in public and private spaces as a show of city character hoping to gain attention of citizens, commuters, & corporate citizens. 8 acres planted as a beta test in a Richardson Park Growing wildflowers in an urban environment proves to be extremely difficult. WildSeed Farms, Fredricksburg, Texas, assisted the City with supply, training, and technical expertise for planting seed.

3 Wildflowers are a big hit in Richardson Popularity of the program grows with each spring, Richardson City Council authorizes purchase of more wildflowers to expand the program. Program peaks in 1996 at 110 acres both public and private. Today 68 acres are seeded. (Decrease largely due to down turn in the economy ) Initially started as a spring wildflower program, it has expanded to include some limited summer wildflower areas as well as expansion into natural area plantings of perennial wildflowers indigenous to our area of North Central Texas Operation Bloom Town - Due to popular demand, the City will seed wildflowers on private property, by contract. As many as 32 locations are seeded at height of program.

4 Breckinridge Park Richardson Municipal Complex Richardson Corporations Richardson Parks The City of Richardson successfully plants wildflowers on public and private property for 19 years. Today, Richardson enjoys the spring and summer wildflower programs. Richardson has a reputation as the place to see wildflowers in the Metroplex. Locations in Richardson that receive wildflowers annually: Spring: o Parks and Natural Areas o Civic Center City Hall Municipal Complex o Major thoroughfares & some collector streets. o Highway rights-of-way along US 75 o Municipal properties (i.e. police and fire stations) o Operation Bloom Town private properties Summer: o Highway rights-of-way along US 75 o Natural Areas

5 Spring Wildflowers Red Corn Poppy Rocket Larkspur Cornflower Drummond Phlox Texas Paintbrush Texas Bluebonnet Wildflower Details and Logistics The Richardson Mix is a mixture of wildflower seed selected for its overlapping blooming cycles, good show, and hardiness. Named for the City and has become the primary seed mixture used throughout Richardson and is seeded October through November: Red Corn Poppy Rocket Larkspur Cornflower Special mixes include: Texas Paintbrush Drummond Phlox Texas Bluebonnet These wildflowers are managed as annuals in both irrigated and non-irrigated locations. These wildflowers are managed as perennials.

6 Wildflower Details and Logistics Summer Mix is Seeded Mid-June Cosmos Some Topping during heat of summer to stimulate more blooming. Mowed late-september to prepare for seeding in October of Spring Wildflowers. These wildflowers are managed as annuals in irrigated beds along US Highway 75. Summer Wildflower Cosmos

7 Native Wildflowers Clasping Indian Blanket Mexican Hat Cone Flower Plains Coreopsis Purple Cone Flower Scarlet Sage Wildflower Details and Logistics The native mix is a mixture chosen for its native origin to North Texas, blooming qualities, and attractiveness to wildlife: Clasping Cone Flower Indian Blanket Mexican Hat Plains Coreopsis Purple Cone Flower Scarlet Sage Native wildflowers are indigenous to the Blackland Prairie Ecosystem of North Central Texas These wildflowers are managed as perennials in natural areas of the City.

8 Richardson Mix Wildflower Details and Logistics Ideal growing conditions and maintenance include the following procedures: Treat area with a post emergent herbicide before planting. Scalp grass and remove cuttings. Rough up surface with a rake to maximize seed/soil contact and apply seed. When blooms are spent, pattern mow flowers to the ground. Non-natives are mowed before dropping their seed and completely mowed before June 1 st. Natives are mowed after dropping their seed. Planting depth and rotating crops are very important. Native wildflowers do the best as perennials! Supplemental growing conditions may include: Rotate planting areas planting in the same location year after year depletes the soil of its nutrients and will result in a lower quality show with heavy weed infestation. Moisture is the key to a good show. Fertilize! Mow perimeter of planting areas in turf for manicured appearance.

9 Summary City s color program and special landscape areas add to overall beauty and appearance of Richardson s public areas. Highly successful Wildflower Program has achieved great recognition for our city. Originally a spring Wildflower Program, the program has now expanded to include summer annuals and natural area perennial wildflower management.