In Flowerbeds

• As with every kind of plant, you must choose wildflowers to suit the area where they'll be planted. A variety of wildflowers make good bedding plants for landscaped areas. Wild geranium, trillium, bloodroot and black-eyed Susan need partial shade and rich soil to thrive. Other plants such as purple poppy mallow, dog-toothed violet and green dragon need more sun to grow well.
  
  

Under Trees

• Some wildflowers prefer the moist, shaded areas such as those under the leafy branches of trees; examples include jack-in-the-pulpit, Jacob's ladder and great blue lobelia. Many wildflowers are generally woodland natives adapted to grow in poor soils, such as the pale-purple/coneflower and violet. Others, such as Dutchman's breeches, celandine poppy and blue flag, need soil that's constantly moist.
  
  

Taller Flowers as Shrubs

• Taller varieties of wildflowers can be used as shrubs, varieties such as blue sage, which grows to 4 feet tall; goldenrod, which grows to 5 feet tall; blue false indigo, which grows to 4 feet tall; and New England Aster, which grows to 60 inches tall, though it can be trimmed to create a lower, bushier appearance. Sunflowers will grow up to 16 feet, depending on the cultivar and growing conditions.
  
  

As Ground Cover

• Ground-cover plants such as heartleaf wild ginger can thrive in full shade in moist soil, while partridge berry will form a dense mat 2 to 3 inches high and requires highly fertile soil. Lily of the valley will cover open ground areas quickly and produces fragrant white flowers in late spring to summer, though it can become invasive and must be contained. Mayapple is a ground cover that spreads easily in moist, shaded areas, with white flowers that drop below the leaves.
  
  

In Rock Gardens

• A rock garden is an intriguing design feature for residential landscaping. Some wildflowers are particularly suited for growing in rock gardens, such as the Missouri primrose, which bears large flowers that bloom in the evening, and the rock pink with its succulent-like foliage. The wild pink also grows well in rock gardens, producing rosy-pink flowers.