Rocky Mountain: Flowerful meadow

In Fort Collins, Colorado, Bob and Bev Bacon’s backyard resembles a sunny mountain meadow overflowing with wildflowers. Three years ago, it was sown with a mixture of Coreopsis tinctoria, also known as calliopsis. Each year since, this easy-to-grow annual has reseeded itself. Reaching 1 to 3 feet tall, it bears abundant 2-inch-wide star-shaped flowers in shades ranging from a yellow-and-burgundy bicolor to solid maroon.

If you’d like to try a planting like this, wait until after the last frost in your area. This sun lover prefers well-drained soil and tolerates drought. Direct-sow seeds over loosened soil; barely cover seeds with dirt, or press them lightly into soil. Keep the area moderately moist until seeds germinate, usually within 10 days. When seedlings reach about 2 inches tall, thin to about 8 inches apart. The Bacons water established plants twice a week. Deadheading the spent blossoms helps prolong bloom time. Toward the end of the season, let some blooms set seed to carry on the show next year.