Does Prairie Moon Graft Plants?

Recently, a customer asked us whether Prairie Moon Nursery plants are ever grafted. Grafting is the joining of two different varieties or species of plants so that features of both can be exhibited in an individual plant. For example, the small stature of one variety of apple tree may be joined with the good eating qualities or high yield of another. Grafting is also used to bring soil and climate tolerance of one variety to another, and also to propagate a variety that does not come true from seed. However, despite all the reasons for grafting, Prairie Moon Nursery does not graft any of the plants we sell. There are a few reasons why:

1. The seeds of grafted plants produce plants with the characteristics of only one of the parent varieties. Customers who plant areas to be managed as whole plant communities require plants that are self-reliant (not dependent on the qualities of another variety to thrive) and produce plants from seed that are similar to the parent plant in environmental tolerances.

2. Native plant enthusiasts appreciate the natural heritage of native plants. Grafted plants are new creations, not historical representatives.

3. There isn’t a need to modify our native plants because they are already well adapted to every natural sun and soil situation.