Bring Back the Prairie

Here you will find a list of our favorite natives that seem to do well in urban gardens. Contact us for more detailed information or advice on what you should plant in your specific yard.  Remember, soil and sunlight are big factors when deciding on what to plant! 

Native flowers we found that thrive in a garden...

  • Goldenrod:  Nebraska's state flower! Likes full sun, blooms late summer to fall. Will take over a garden if you let it!
  • Compass plant: Tall, growing 3-8' in height, large stalks full of yellow flowers with a daisy-like appearance.
  • Blanket Flower: Beautiful bright red and yellow flowers, short-lived perennial that thrives in well-drained, sandy soils.
  • Prairie Blazing Star: Spike-like purple flower that blooms late summer, early September. Grows 4-5' in full to partial sun and wet soils
  • Asters: Several species of native aster grow well in urban gardens, such as Heath Aster, Aromatic Aster, and Wild Blue Aster.  These are small late summer bloomers that are important for wildlife and pollinators.
  • Brown-eyed Susan:  Another short-lived perennial with daisy like flowers that loves full sun and a variety of soil types. 

Native grasses that we love...

  • Buffalograss: Our favorite of the grasses and one we think should replace bluegrass in everyone's yard! Once established, only requires 1/4" of water per month and tolerates drought well. 
  • Big Bluestem:  Drought tolerant that transitions from blue-green to red-bronze with the season. Very tall and should be used as an accent in front lawns
  • Switchgrass: Another tall, warm-season grass that is important to prevent soil erosion.  Should be used as an ornamental in urban settings

 

Native shrubs and trees we like...

  • Roughleaf Dogwood
  • Common Juniper
  • Chokecherry
  • Sand sagebrush