Backyard Oasis

Prairies have a beauty that makes them stand out. They are full are native plants and different types of grasses. A variety of flowers are found in prairies that can adapt to different types of soil and climates variations. This makes what is called a prairie flowers an asset for difficult or unique growing conditions.

Prairies are also located all over the United States and are divided into three categories; dry, mesic (medium) and wet. These categories are based on the soil moisture available to the plants within the prairie. Many people also refer to Prairie flowers as wild flowers.

There are many types of Prairie Flowers and for more information and varieties check out Prairie Flowers.

Here are three varieties I use in my natural areas. I chose them for their ease in growing and for butterflies or crafting uses.

Butterfly milkweed, also known as butterfly weed and coral weed, is a perennial plant that can grow up to 3 feet tall. This plant is one of my favorite plants to grow. It attracts the monarch butterfly and has many herbal uses and can used in dried arrangement and fro crafting.

These plants can looks somewhat shrubby and bushy. Its leaves are dark green, 2 to 4 inches long and ¼ to 1 inch wide. The flowers are red-orange, orange and sometimes yellow. Butterfly milkweed will bloom from June to August and prefers full sun. It will also tolerate partial shade. It grows well in sandy, well-drained soils and rocky limestone prairies. In my zone 5 climate I grow it in rocky soil where other plants will not grow as well.

Being a taller plant I use it my garden areas in the back with other wildflowers in the front.

The USDA hardiness zones for butterfly milkweed are 4 through 10.

The Indian paintbrush is also known as painted cup and Indian blanket. It is a short plant that only grows up to 18 inches tall. The plant has hairy stems, and the greenish-yellow flowers are hardly noticeable. This plant has a bright red – orange bloom that appears in April through June. The bloom may also be yellow.

Indian paintbrush prefers full sun and only slight shade. Soil conditions should be mostly dry, but this plant can tolerate partially moist soils. This is another plant I grow in rocky soil.

The USDA hardiness zones are 3 through 10.

The yellow prairie coneflower is a perennial that will grow up to 3 feet tall. The daisy-like flowers are yellow and have a brown center. These flowers will return each spring from the same roots and will bloom the second spring from seed. The yellow prairie coneflower prefers full sun and nonacid, dry soil. I have grown this plant both from seed and from a transplant.

It is native to the plains regions, but can grow in all regions. Its USDA hardiness zones are 3 through 9.

The purple coneflower is a stunning perennial flower with herbal uses and makes a perfect garden accent flower. Once started it is easy to grow and low in maintenance. It is used both as prairie flower and in many flower gardens. It’s one of my favorite flowers.

One last favorite for prairie gardens is the Shooting star. It is also called prairie pointers and American Sweet coneflower. Growing to a height of 6 foot, if planted in moist soil, it makes a great background plant or flower for a fence.

Adding a prairie garden to the backyard oasis will give you that open feel and will also be a benefit if you have an area that has soil that other plants do not thrive in. You will also attract butterflies and other beneficial insect to your garden areas.