Let's plant more wildflowers

At one time, Iowa was covered with prairie. Wave after wave of big bluestem and Indian grass dotted with unique and beautiful wildflowers.

From 70 to 80% of the ground in Iowa was prairie which supported large populations of bobolinks, meadowlarks, ornate box turtles, bullsnakes, regal fritillary butterflies, and rusty-patched bumble bees.

The time of a prairie-dominated landscape has passed, and many of the wildlife that rely on prairies have diminished in numbers.

However, we can achieve a landscape that honors and brings back some of that prairie heritage. It’s as simple as including native wildflowers and grasses in your landscape.

Why native plants?

There are a million ways native plants benefit wildlife, but they can also be extremely beneficial to the landowner.

• Prairie plants tend to have deep roots that hold onto and help build soil. Once established they are excellent for solving erosion issues.

• Most prairie plants are resilient to drought conditions, which means that once established they don’t need to be watered to thrive.

• Prairie plants can also save you money on gas or electricity used to run a mower. After the first year or two, mowing is only needed sporadically or not at all.

• Got a soggy spot? There are prairie plants that would love to grow there, keep water from pooling and stop erosion.

• Most prairies plants are either perennials, biennials or hardy self-seeders. Because they don’t need to be reseeded or planted again, you save money on new seeds and plants every year.

• They are beautiful and can really enhance your landscape once established.

Native plants for wildlife

By planting native prairie flowers and grasses you are helping your landscape become a functioning community of wildlife from the ground up.

The deep roots aerate, stabilize and add organic matter to the soil encouraging a healthy and balanced soil community. The flowers and leaves attract a diversity of insects which have fed and lived on these plants for thousands of years.

This foundation of plants and insects feeds everybody else. For example, during the nesting season, songbirds rely on insects to raise their young and then happily feed on plant seeds in the fall.

Native plants in landscaping

Buying started plants will be more expensive but they should establish and bloom more quickly and can be more strategically planned out.

If you have a small space and want a more manicured look, using seedlings is likely best. If you have a larger area and want a more natural prairie look, a seed mix will be more economical and easier to manage. It will take some work in the first 2-3 years to get established including site preparation and occasional mowing in the first year or two.

A seed mix heavy on flower (forb) seeds is recommended.

The Tallgrass Prairie Center maintains a good database of native plant nurseries and service providers. Also look for native plants at farmers markets or native plant sales hosted by county conservation boards or Wild Ones groups in your area.

If you wish to direct seed, right now is the ideal time. The perfect time would be before the ground completely freezes and right before a snowstorm so the seeds get some insulation and protection from birds and mice. However, seeds can be planted in the spring which is also the best time to put seedlings into the ground.

Prairie plants will likely do best if planted pretty close together, filling the entire space of a garden bed. They are accustomed to growing with lots of competition and keeping them tight together will help discourage lawn-grass and other plants from moving in.

They do not need enriched, fertilized soil.

Plant clumps or swaths of each species. Not only will this look more organized and attractive but it’s actually beneficial for foraging bees.

Use short grasses such as side-oats grama, little bluestem or prairie dropseed in between flower clumps to help provide structure and support for the flowers.

If in an urban or suburban setting choose mostly plants that are on the shorter side: pale purple coneflower, purple prairie clover, sky blue aster. Use a fewer taller species as statements or accents.

Start with a limited number of species and vary the bloom time — two flowers that bloom early (such as gold alexander or hairy beardtongue) two that bloom midsummer (swamp milkweed, wild bergamot), two that bloom in late summer (prairie blazing star, stiff goldenrod) and a native grass.

Some plants have very high wildlife value and are beautiful but are very prolific spreaders, so consider that if including them in your landscape. They need a space where they can run a little wild and not get in the way. Examples are common milkweed, wild bergamot, anise hyssop and cup plant.

Consider adding some woodland wildflowers if you have a shady spot: Virginia bluebells, spring beauty, Virginia waterleaf, columbine.

If you have 30 acres you want to plant to prairie, that's wonderful, but incorporating even a few native plants into your landscaping can make a big difference.