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Operation
Wildflowers FAQs
Q.
What are wildflowers?
A. Wildflowers are
flowering plants, native to a specific geographic area or habitat
and capable of growing in unimproved habitats without the assistance
of humans, normally assumed to have attractive, showy flowers.
Wildflowers can include naturalized species that coexist with other
plants in the same habitat but are not aggressively competitive or
invasive. Once established, native plants can save time and money
because they require less maintenance. They also add diverse color,
beauty and variety to the landscape.
Q.
What varieties grow in West Virginia?
A. In West Virginia a
combination of native and naturalized annuals are planted. This
mixture currently includes bright red Corn Poppy, blue Bachelor's
Button, yellow Coreopsis, pink Wild Cosmos and orange Sulphur
Cosmos.
Q.
How are wildflowers planted?
A. Donated areas are
planted and maintained by the Division of Highways. Three planting
methods are currently in use. In each method, sites are mowed close
to the ground and then sprayed with a nonselective herbicide. The
first method involves tilling prior to planting with a cyclone
spreader. The second method uses a seed drill on untilled soil to
cut a groove, drop seed into it and then tamp it down. The third
method is hydro-seeding, which sprays seed and a paper mulch
directly on the untilled surface. Geological location and the
specific needs of each planting site determine the planting method.
Q.
When are wildflowers planted?
A. Wildflower beds are
generally planted in the fall after the first heavy frost. The
germination rate is more optimal if seeds are exposed to the
repeated freezing and thawing of winter and early spring. This
method copies nature. If left undisturbed, flowers in a natural
setting will dry on the stem and drop to the ground in autumn, lie
on the ground during the winter months and then germinate when the
spring rains and warmer temperature appear. Donations received prior
to August 1 will be planted the same year. Those received after that
date will be planted the following fall.
Q.
How are wildflower-planting sites selected?
A. All Operation
Wildflower cultivated areas must be planted on Division of Highways
rights-of-way. A site is selected by the donor and then inspected by
Division of Highways personnel who approve the site or suggest an
alternate location. Donated wildflower beds will be planted at a
location acceptable to the donor, however, the Division of Highways
has final approval on all planting sites. An ideal site is at least
20 feet back from the road's edge and is flat or only gently sloped.
There must be a clearance of at least six feet between the pavement
edge and the beginning of the flowerbed. Areas without existing
vegetation are not likely to support wildflowers, which generally
grow well in sandy, moderately dry soil and do poorly in wet areas.
Flowers that are situated so that drivers look down on them present
a better view. Plantings that require drivers to look up appear to
be mainly stems and leaves hide the showy blooms on top.
Q.
Who pays for roadside plantings?
A. The Division of
Highways absorbs the majority of the cost incurred for Operation
Wildflowers, however, private donations contribute considerably to
the program and are greatly appreciated.
Q.
Who can donate a wildflower bed?
A. Individuals,
families, businesses, garden clubs, churches, civic organizations,
etc. are invited to donate to Operation Wildflowers. Many sites are
donated in memory of a loved one by native West Virginians who now
live in other states. One local man gave his wife an acre of
wildflowers as a birthday gift.
Q.
What period of time does a donation cover?
A. Donations for acres
and half-acres cover a period of three years during which time the
Division of Highways will plant annuals each Fall and maintain the
area. At the end of this time the donor will be offered the
opportunity to make a donation for the next three years or releasing
the area.
Q.
How are donated sites identified?
A. An attractive 30
X 30 brown, white and yellow sign displaying the name of the
contributor or the person, business or group of their choice is
erected at each donated area of one-half acre or more. Many
contributors opt for a sign that reads In Memory of... or in
Honor of ... a loved one or cherished person.
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