PRAIRIES AND MEADOWS
Wildflowers gently swaying, butterflies galore, glimpses of hummingbirds, serenity - sounds like a long ride out to the far stretches of countryside? How about a walk in your own backyard!
It wasn't too long ago that prairies and meadows became all but extinct due to rapid human development...our native plants and animals becoming memories. Now, we as gardeners can recreate close facsimiles of those eye-dazzling, butterfly/bird-loving prairies and meadows. All we need is a little knowledge and a little patience.
USE NATIVES
First and foremost, use native plants. They are much more nectar rich than nursery cultivars and will attract much more wildlife. Natives are durable, drought resistant and don't require much in the way of soil amendments. Once they're established, they'll come back year after year with no need for herbicides or pesticides.
ESTABLISHING YOUR PRAIRIE OR MEADOW
In brief, here's how to start:
* clear your land of existing vegetation
* select native plants which match your soil type, moisture and sun levels
* select native grasses to blend with wildflowers (grasses support the flowers, provide food & shelter for wildlife and add texture & beauty to your planting)
* water plants enough to get them established
* have patience - these perennial beauties will take from 1-3 years to mature
| Butterflies | Birds |
| · butterflyweed | - western sunflower (other native sunflowers) |
| · blazing star | -columbine |
| · milkweeds | - round headed bushclover |
| · asters | - Canada tick-trefoil |
| · wild bergamot | - cupplant |
| · goldenrods | - prairie dock |
| · black-eyed Susan | - New Jersey tea |
| · Joe Pye weed | - cardinal flower |
| · boneset | - all the grasses |
| · purple coneflower |
Generally, by the third year your prairie/meadow will be in beautiful blooming form. There are now several native plant nurseries which offer the native plants you will need.
to return home.
Earth-Joy, 22493 Milner, St. Clair Shores, MI 48081 (586)778-0443 (12/02)
