Wildflowers bring beauty and life to any landscape with their lively colors and ability to attract pollinators However, starting wildflowers from seed can be challenging Many seeds fail to germinate or get choked out by weeds. Fortunately, wildflower roll out mats provide an easy way to get a gorgeous wildflower garden with minimal work.
What are Wildflower Roll Out Mats?
Wildflower roll out mats, also called wildflower seed mats or pre-seeded mats, are mats made of biodegradable materials that have wildflower seeds embedded in them. The mats come in rolls or sheets that you simply roll or lay out over your prepared soil, wet them down, and let them grow. The seeds germinate right in the mats, which protect them and prevent washing away. Once the flowers are established, the mats gradually break down into the soil.
Wildflower mats contain a mix of annual and perennial wildflowers selected for their hardiness, color, height, and bloom time. Popular mixes feature classics like poppies, lupine, daisies, and black-eyed Susans. You can also find mats tailored to butterflies, bees, or shade. The seeds are evenly dispersed for natural-looking patches of flowers.
Why Use Wildflower Mats?
Wildflower roll out mats offer many advantages over sowing seeds directly:
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No weeding – The mats prevent weed seeds from germinating, eliminating the need for weeding wildflower beds.
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Even distribution – Seeds are evenly embedded for consistent, full coverage without bare patches.
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No washing away – Seeds stay put in rainstorms instead of getting washed into puddles and drainways.
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Moisture retention – The mats hold moisture to help seeds germinate. Once sprouted, plant roots intertwine with the mats.
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Protection – The mat material shelters sprouting seeds from being unearthed by rain, wind, animals, or curious children.
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Quick results – Flowers sprout quickly, blooming the first year without a long wait.
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Low maintenance – After watering the mats to start, no watering, fertilizing or deadheading is needed.
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Environmentally friendly – The biodegradable mats enrich the soil as they break down
When and Where to Use Wildflower Mats
Wildflower roll out mats can be used in almost any sunny or partly shady location. Some ideal spots include:
- Flower beds
- Along walkways and fences
- Slopes and hillsides
- Near pond edges
- In parks or meadows
- Around trees
- Roadside plantings
- Edging parking lots or buildings
The mats are great for renovating tired gardens or establishing flowers in new lawns and landscapes. They allow you to create sweeps of color even in hard-to-reach spots.
Wildflower mats can be installed spring through fall as long as the ground is workable and not frozen. Spring and fall are best timing for perennials. Annuals can be planted through mid-summer.
How to Install Wildflower Mats
Installing wildflower roll out mats takes just a few simple steps:
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Prepare the site by removing weeds and debris and lightly tilling the soil. Rake smooth.
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Roll out the mats over the area, leaving 1-2 inches between mats. For a natural look, avoid laying mats in straight rows.
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Use a shovel edge or roller to firmly press down the mat edges and center to ensure good soil contact.
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Water thoroughly until the mats are completely saturated. Keep moist until sprouts appear.
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Once flowers are 3-4 inches tall, you can walk on mats carefully without harming plants. Avoid pulling on mats once plants are growing into them.
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Sit back and watch your wildflower meadow come to life! Deadhead spent flowers to encourage reblooming.
Wildflower Mat Tips
Follow these tips to get the best results from wildflower roll out mats:
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Prepare soil well by removing weeds, debris, and rocks that can impede mat contact.
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For perennials, amend soil with compost or fertilizer before laying mats.
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Unroll mats in cloudy weather or evening when the sun is low to avoid seed desiccation.
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Water gently after planting to moisten without dislodging seeds or mats.
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Allow 1-2 inch gaps between mats to prevent overcrowding as plants grow.
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Avoid walking on sprouted mats until plants are established with 3-4 inch roots.
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Let annual flowers self-sow for continuous color year to year.
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Leave seed heads over winter for food sources birds and wildlife. Trim back in spring.
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Use separate mats for sun and shade areas matched to light conditions.
Popular Annual and Perennial Flowers in Mats
Wildflower mats contain a lively mix of annual and perennial flowers. Some of the popular wildflowers you may find in mats include:
Annuals
- Cosmos
- Corn poppy
- Plains coreopsis
- Annual lupine
- Mexican sunflower
- Baby’s breath
- Flax
Perennials
- Black-eyed Susan
- Oxeye daisy
- Purple coneflower
- Lance-leaved coreopsis
- Blanket flower
- Winecups
- Wild geranium
- Wild blue phlox
Where to Buy Wildflower Roll Out Mats
Wildflower roll out mats are available at most garden centers and nurseries, home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s, and online retailers like Amazon and Holland Bulb Farms. You can find mats sold individually or in handy kits.
Mats come in various sizes from 5’ x 15” strips for edging beds to 3’ x 50’ rolls sufficient to cover 150 square feet. Pricing ranges from $10-$30 for individual mats and $20-$50 for kits.
When buying mats, check the seed mix to make sure it fits your region and site conditions. Seek out eco-friendly mats made of materials like jute, coconut fiber, straw, or wood fiber. Avoid plastic mesh mats which don’t enrich the soil.
Transform Your Landscape with Wildflower Mats
Wildflower roll out mats take the guesswork and hassle out of starting wildflowers from seed. In just minutes, you can unroll a lush meadow or colorful border with no weeding required. For busy gardeners or DIY landscapers, mats offer a nearly foolproof way to add beauty anywhere. The mats establish flowers quickly, whether renovating existing beds or introducing new color to lawns and vacant lots. Every garden can benefit from their carefree splendor. With wildflower mats, anyone can easily create a flourishing landscape that attracts pollinators and delights the eye.
Roll Out Flower Garden Review
FAQ
Do flower seed mats work?
Do seeded wildflower blankets work?
When to plant wildflower seed mat?
What month is best to plant wildflower seeds?
What is a pre seeded wildflower garden mat?
Preseeded wildflower garden mat lets you create an instant flower garden—no digging, furrowing or planting by hand! Custom designed by a horticulturist to ensure beautiful and professional-looking results. Each 8′ sq. mat contains hundreds of seeds between 100% recycled paper layers to grow rich, colorful blossoms.
What is wildflower mat?
Research shows by planting wildflowers makes a huge difference to garden wildlife, the problem is stopping weeds naturally, without killing precious pollinators, and Wildflower Mat has been scientifically proven to do just this! This seed mat is made up of two layers of biodegradable tissue paper with wildflower seeds between them.
What are flower rolls and seed mats?
Flower rolls and seed mats from Miles Kimball are quick and easy seed sheets that provide a garden you can be proud of almost instantly. To use them, simply roll out and water the mats over cleared and aerated dirt, wherever you want a bed of blooms. The result? Bunches and bunches of blooms that will light your garden up with color.
What seeds are in a wildflower mat?
Each 20″ wide x 60″ long wildflower mat is filled with hundreds of seeds from 16 popular wildflower varieties, such as calendulas, corn poppy, blue flax, crimson clover, baby’s breath, baby snapdragon, larkspur, Queen Anne’s lace and Shasta daisy. The flower seeds are nestled between layers of 100% recycled paper to promote healthy growth.
How long does it take to plant a wildflower seed mat?
It doesn’t need to take hours or days to lay the groundwork for a gorgeous garden. A moment is all you need to lay down a Walter Drake Wildflower Seed Mat. When you use a wildflower mat, no digging, furrowing or hand-planting is necessary, and there is no debating about which flowers you should choose.
How to grow flowers with flower rolls & seed mats?
To grow flowers using our flower rolls and seed mats, lay them over cleared and aerated dirt wherever you want a bed of blooms. Water the mat daily until you see the seeds sprout, then continue to water frequently or as needed. Within weeks, you’ll have a beautiful display of bright flowers in the varieties of your choice.