Since the meadow flower communities in northern Germany differ in their species composition from those in the south, east, and west, I recommend the wildflower seed mixtures of the "Thousands of Gardens - Thousands of Species" initiative (tausende-gaerten.de). These ecologically regionally coordinated seed mixtures consist – depending on the region – of 27 to 45 native wildflowers for balconies and gardens, which bloom from May to October.
Sowing and care is so easy
Creating such a sea of flowers is incredibly simple: Place a lean substrate into the flower box, e.g., high-quality potting soil mixed with sand in a 1:1 ratio. Ideally, add some clayey topsoil. Then, mix the fine seed mixture with a little moist sand and sprinkle it evenly over the substrate. Press it down lightly. Water carefully with a spray bottle or shower head, and keep it evenly moist for the following weeks.
After three to five weeks, the small seedlings appear, quickly growing and blooming. Wildflowers are robust and hardy, so the flower box can be left outdoors year-round.
Don't prune back in the fall, but leave dead and wilted plants in place in the box. Goldfinches and other birds will feed on the seeds they produce during the winter, and various insects will overwinter among the withered plants.
You can only clear away everything that has dried up next spring.
Wildflower selection for all regions
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Knapweed (Centaurea cyanus)
Wild carrot (Daucus carota)
Wild teasel (Dipsacus fullonum)
Common bedstraw (Galium verum)
Meadow scabious (Knautia arvensis)
Wild mallow (Malva sylvestris)
Poppy (Papaver dubium, P. rhoeas)
Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa)
Meadow sage (Salvia pratensis)
Catchfly (Silene vulgaris)
Hare clover (Trifolium arvense)
