How to grow and care for Quinine wildflowers

 

Without been told growing quinine wildflower is an easy undertaking and the plant is suitable for many situations. Just keep reading to learn more about this interesting plant and the plant care.

This plant is an upright perennial wildflower, they are native to Illinois, which is not seen in the home landscape often. Quinine wildflower flower has aromatic foliage similar in appearance to mustard greens and also a bright white button-shaped flower that bloom from late spring throughout summer. This plant is a tall plant that reaches three to four feet at maturity and they actually make a lovely addition to a perennial bed. Because of its persistent bloom, the plant really adds great late season color which makes it a lovely dried flower for indoor arrangements as well. A lot of gardeners also incorporate this plant in rain gardens. Hummingbirds and Butterflies will flock to this lovely wildflower in search of its sweet-tasting nectar.

How to grow Quinine Wildflowers

This plant thrives in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 7. Wild quinine is a member of the sunflower family, the plants are found in open woods and prairies. Actually the best growing conditions for wild quinine plant include fertile, well-drained soil and full sun to light shade. Wild quinine plants are easily propagated by seed and they are best planted in the fall or early winter. If planting in the spring, provide 4 to 6 weeks of cold and moist stratification to improve germination.

How to care for Wild Quinine

Once the wild quinine plant is planted and established in a suitable growing condition, the plant requires very little attention. There is no need to fertilize the wild quinine. Although minimal water is needed as the plant can develop a thick taproot and they can tolerate long periods without water. There are no known diseases or pests of the wild quinine which makes it a great addition to a chemical-free garden. Wild quinine plant leaves are rough textured and bitter tasting, bunnies and deer tend to skip over the plant in rain gardens and the flower beds too.