A flowery ravine

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I live in suburban central New Jersey (USA). Just a block from my house, there's a footbridge which spans a ravine. Fifty years ago there were railroad tracks at the bottom of this ravine, but now there's just a muddy rut; the sides of the ravine have little on them but sparse weeds.

Earlier today I was walking this footbridge, and it occurred to me that I could make a beautiful gift to my community by seeding the ravine soil with some sort of colorful flower. I imagine walking over the bridge in midsummer and having the gentle scent of flowers envelop me. Meanwhile, a vibrant carpet unfolding on the ravine walls beneath.

I know next to nothing about flowers though. What would be a hardy, colorful, gently scented, perennial flower that grows well in central NJ soil, especially a relatively steep slope? (If nothing fits all these specifics, feel free to match just a couple of them!)

Thanks so much for your help! John in NJ

[Travis]

Sounds like the RR may have done something to the slopes to prevent things from growing hence "sparse weeds".

I have no idea what might grow there but there may be a "Native Plant Society" in your area.

[Mark Anderson]

Buy 1/2 or full pound of wildflower seeds. Mix the seed in fine sand. I use 7 parts sand, 1 part seed. Walk around the area spread the mixture on exposed soil and tamp it down with your feet.

I've had good luck buying seed from this place.

have a Northeast mix for NJ but I have been told other mixtures can grow as well. This year I'm experimenting with 3 different regional mixtures here in Chicago.

BTW: You'll need to get this seed planted within the next few weeks.