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Natural Selections

A Prairie Garden for the Midwest

Against a backdrop of gently swaying tall grasses, this garden recreates the look of a prairie wildflower meadow. Make sure you have enough room for the Eriantus grass – it gets huge! If space is limited, you may want to use “Karl Foerster’ in its place. Give this garden a full day’s sun and average soil. Before planting, clear the area of existing grass of weeds. After you have installed the perennials, sow seeds of a nonagressive grass, such as a little bluestem, between them. These will grow into tufts of pretty meadow grass, lending even more of a naturalistic look while helping to suppress weeds. Just a late winter cutting of the dried grasses and stalks is all the maintenance you’ll need to do. Since all of these wildflowers are from sturdy stock, they’ll need supplemental watering only during periods of drought. From midsummer thru fall, this little piece of prairie will sing with color. Plant in groups of three.


A	Achillea 'Appleblossom' Flat clusters of rich rosy-pink blossoms atop sturdy stems with grayish-green fern-like foliage. Height 36" Durable to -40°F	K	Erianthus ravennae Long plumes and reed-like grass with flat leaf blades that turn to russet shades in fall. Also known as Hardy Pampas Grass. Height 8-14' Durable to -40°F
B	Achillea 'Summer Pastels' A delightful mixture of soft, rich colors-from white to peach, lavender to rose-in flat-topped flower clusters atop sturdy stems. Height 24" Durable to -30°F	L	Erigeron 'Azure Fairy' Clumps of lance-shaped leaves form a handsome base from which arise sturdy stems with clusters of 2" flowers. Height 30" Durable to -50°F
C	Aster 'Alma Potschke' Masses of hot pink daisy-like flowers will brighten your garden. Height 48" Durable to -30°F	M	Heliopsis 'Summer Sun' A rugged, reliable plant with erect branching stems bearing bright sunny flowers throughout the summer. Height 48" Durable to -40°F
D	Aster 'Professor Kippenburg' Produces an abundant display of blue-violet, daisy-like flowers with yellow centers. Height 18" Durable to -30°F	N	Liatris 'Floristan White' White flowers are on dense spikes atop leafy, erect stems. A pleasing addition to the back of a mixed border. Height 36" Durable to -40°F
E	Aster 'Purple Dome' Offers a profusion of deep purple daisy-like flowers in handsome contrast with its rich green foliage. Height 18" Durable to -30°F	O	Liatris 'Kobold' Wildflowers on dense spikes atop leafy, erect stems. A pleasing addition to the back of a mixed border. Height 20-30" Durable to -40°F
F	Boltonia 'Nana' A dwarf variety with large 1" flowers in splendid profusion during late summer. Height 24" Durable to -30°F	P	Oenothera missouriensis A sprawling plant with large, bright yellow, sweetly fragrant flowers opening from red buds at the end of the day. Height 10" Durable to -40°F
G	Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' Slender, deep green leaves and tall, handsome flower plumes. Height 36-48" Durable to-20° F	Q	Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm' Long-stemmed, large, orange-yellow flowers with black "eyes" tower over textured green leaves. Height 24-30" Durable to -40°F
H	Coreopsis 'Sunray' This extravagant bloomer produces double golden-yellow ray florets carried singly on long stems. Height 24" Durable to -40°F	R	Stokesia 'Mischung' Cornflower-like blooms borne on stiff, wiry stems. Superb for cutting. Height 12-24" Durable to -20°F
I	Echinacea 'Magnus' Distinctive convex flowers with wine-red ray florets and a vaulted, gold-brown, prickly disc. Height 36" Durable to -40°F	S	Veronicastrum 'Rosea' Handsome vertical accent with long terminal spikes of small, lavender-pink flowers on sturdy stems. Height 48" Durable to -40°F
J	Echinacea 'White Swan' Distinctive convex flowers with cream-white ray florets and a vaulted, golden-brown, prickly disc. Height 36" Durable to -40°F

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