High diversity and a heavy seeding rate make this a very strong, very showy mix. With 100 species there will be a variety of flowers blooming continuously late spring through fall. This mix will thrive in average soils, but can handle a range of soil conditions from wet-mesic to dry-mesic. Enjoy the challenge of identifying new plants for many years. Includes most of our bird and butterfly favorites. 

 

Some of the many species shown in this photo blooming in late July are Swamp Milkweed, Prairie Blazing Star, Mountain Mint, Compass Plant, Prairie Dock, Blue Vervain and Big Bluestem.

DID YOU KNOW...?
Establishing a native plant community from seed can take 3 years or more

YEAR 1:  SITE PREPARATION AND SEEDING YEAR

 • Many areas will need 1 growing season (spring-fall) for site preparation, an exception may be an area with lawn grass.  Remove existing grass/weeds AND the weed seed bank in the soil by using herbicides or other methods you determine to be best.  Sowing the seed: We are an advocate for fall or frost plantings (mid-Oct or after).  Spring plantings (April-June) are an acceptable second choice.  You should not plant in the summer. (Click here for “Pros and Cons to Fall vs. Spring Plantings”).

YEAR 2: FIRST GROWING SEASON
• Most sites need maintenance mowings to keep weeds from going to seed and to allow light to penetrate the ground encouraging growth of the majority of the slow-growing natives.  You may get some blooms this year, most likely the Black-eyed Susan, but you must sacrifice those beautiful flowers if you want the other species to establish!  Keep the area cut to 4-6” this year.  Don’t pull the weeds!  This will disturb the root systems of the nearby natives trying to establish.

YEAR 3: SECOND GROWING SEASON
• This may or may not be the year you start enjoying the fruits of your labor.  You may need to mow once yet this year.  Be patient – although some species may reach flowering stages in year 3, many could take 5 years or more.

For more information on 'Establishing a Native Plant Community', read the excerpt from our catalog….