Chaos Gardening: A wild approach to planting flowers

Published 12:59 pm Friday, September 19, 2025

The term “chaos gardening” has been popping up a lot on social media. This growing trend is a relaxed and intuitive method of gardening that embraces spontaneity over structure. Instead of following detailed plans or layouts, gardeners simply mix their favorite wildflower seeds and scatter them over a prepared patch of soil. The result can be a vibrant, diverse and ever-changing garden that requires less effort and planning than traditional methods. However, before jumping on the trend, there are a few things to consider.

Getting Started

In Alabama, wildflowers tend to do better when the seeds are sown in the fall. Planting any garden, even a chaotic one, starts with choosing and preparing the right location. Most wildflowers thrive in full sun, so choosing a sunny spot in the yard is best. Gardeners need to also decide how large the garden will be and whether they prefer a tidy, organized bed or a more natural, untamed look.

Another important step is to submit a soil sample for testing. This helps gardeners better understand the soil’s nutrient levels and prevents overfertilization. Some nutrients, such as phosphorus, are often already high in some residential landscapes and can be harmful if added unnecessarily. Instead of guessing, let the test results guide any amendments. If the soil is heavy with clay or overly rocky, people can work in compost to improve drainage and structure. For more information on soil testing, visit the Alabama Extension website at aces.edu and search for soil test.

Choosing the Right Species

Even with wildflowers, plant selection is key to garden success and sustainability. Kerry Smith, a home horticulture expert with Alabama Extension at Auburn University, encourages people to use wildflowers that are native to Alabama.

“Native-plant gardens can be any shape or size, from one pot to a large plot,” Smith said. “Start by choosing one favorite and enjoy learning as it grows.”

There are many benefits to planting native wildflowers, such as attracting pollinators like bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. However, in addition to choosing a native species, gardeners need to choose a wildflower that works in the location. Particular needs of the species — such as sun tolerance, moisture, nutrients and deer resistance — must be considered.

“Just because a species is native doesn’t mean it is necessarily better adapted to a particular garden situation or will need less maintenance,” said Nancy Loewenstein, a retired Alabama Extension invasive species specialist and emeritus at Auburn University.

In the spirit of chaos gardening, some people may want to sow several species in the same location. In this case, all of the species need to match the site conditions. Otherwise, the mix could contain seeds with contrasting needs, such as drought-tolerant and water-loving species or sun-loving and shade-loving species.

Beware of Invasive Species in Seed Packs

Even in a carefree garden, it is important to avoid plants that are invasive species in Alabama. Invasive plant species can quickly take over and crowd out native plants, disrupting local ecosystems.

“Be wary of prepackged seed mixes and make sure they do not include invasive species,” Loewenstein said.

Specifically, Loewenstein said to avoid spreading seeds from plants such as Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) and Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense), which are both known to be harmful in the region.

The following is a list of wildflower species that are native to Alabama and great to plant. For help finding suppliers of these seeds, people can contact the Alabama Extension home horticulture agent in their area.

Butterfly weed; Blazing star; Pale purple coneflower; American beautyberry; New England aster; Butterfly pea; Tickseed; Rattlesnake master; Spotted bee balm; Joe-Pye weed; Black-eyed Susan; Brown-eyed Susan; Blue mistflower; and Goldenrods.

More Information

Chaos gardening gives Alabama gardeners a fun and easy way to enjoy the outdoors while supporting native flora and fauna. With the right seeds and a little patience, people can create a wild, blooming haven right in their backyards. For more information on all things gardening, visit aces.edu.

Written By: Catherine Jackson

Alabama Cooperative Extension Service