Abstract
The germination, establishment, survival, and public preference of four wild-flower seed mixes were evaluated in relation to irrigation and seasonal sowing date. The mixes included two commercial nonindigenous wildflower mixes, a commercial mix with indigenous and nonindigenous wildflowers, and an experimental mix composed exclusively of Alaska native wildflowers. The two latter mixes were sown with and without `Tundra' glaucous bluegrass (Poa glauca). The two nonindigenous mixes exhibited the greatest seedling establishment during the first season. Fall sowing and irrigation during seed germination significantly increased species establishment for all mixes. In the second season, 11 nonindigenous species did not reappear, whereas all of the indigenous species reappeared. The experimental mix had the greatest species richness of the six mixes in the second season. The addition of grass to the mixes did not significantly affect wildflower species richness in either the first or second season. Survey respondents preferred the nonindigenous wildflower mixes to those containing Alaska native wildflowers because of a greater mix of colors that appeared earlier in the first season than the other mixes. Alaska native species recommended for wildflower mixes include Polemonium acutiflorum, Lupinus arcticus, Hedysarum mackenzii, Arnica alpina, and Aster sibiricus.
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