Nursery Care Sheets

Native Iowa Prairies

Native prairie plants are those that were growing in wild prairies, before the area was inhabited. These plants naturally adapted to certain areas and thrived without the aid of fertilizers and sprinkler systems. Native plants have spent many years acclimating to the area and have adapted to the soils and environmental conditions of the prairie as well as the local insect and disease populations. There is a ecological balance that has been achieved between the plants and their environment.

Prairie Sites

There are 3 different types of prairie environments that exist in iowa - dry sites, mesic sites, and wet sites. Each has a unique set of conditions resulting in their ability to support only certain types of plants.

  • Dry soils are found on well to excessively drained, usually exposed sites. Soils that are thin to bedrock, or are sandy or gravelly and that occur on steep areas are typical. Dry sites are more common on southfacing slopes where it is the warmest and driest during the summer. Characteristics of the plants adapted to these areas include the following:
  • Plants often less than 3’ in height
  • Leaves that are adapted to conserve moisture (thick surfaces, wilt throughout the day, or other actions to avoid water loss)
  • Mesic refers to sites that have good drainage, ample seasonally available water, and deep soils. A good description of mesic is moist, yet well drained. The subsoil (below the dark topsoil) is brightly colored, which indicates good drainage.
  • Wet sites have seasonally high water tables and often occur low on the landscape. Sedges (grasslike plants with triangular stems in cross section) may be a prominent group of species in wet sites, and the topsoil is either coal black to several feet in depth, or the subsoil is noticeably dull gray colored, or both.

Native Plant Selection

It is important to know the difference between the native species and the hybrid forms of the plants. Many native plants have been breed over the years to provide suitable landscape specimens. These hybrids are then considered non-natives despite their native parentage. It is important to avoid planting hybrids in a prairie setting to avoid any genetic crossover between the true native species and a close, hybrid relative. When selecting plants for a native planting, be sure to observe the botanical, or scientific name of the plant in question. If you see a variety name denoted after the botanical name, that plant is a hybridized variety. An example would be echinacea purpurea. When you see it written alone, you know you have encountered a native. When you see it written as echinacea purpurea ‘’white swan’, you know it’s a hybrid. If you aren’t sure, ask! Choose plants that are native to your local area. Plants and seed should ideally be collected from within 50 miles of the area to be planted. This should be verified by your supplier or grower.

Native prairie plants are classified into two main groups, grasses and forbs. Prairies consists of one or the other or both. The amounts in which these two types occur are often site specific. Plantings will vary based on environmental conditions and the plants morphology.

Grasses typically have long leaves with parallel veins and can be useful in adding dimension to a planting. Several of the tall grasses wave gently in the wind, and they can provide a dash of subtle fall and winter color. Grasses do have flowers, which are generally greenish, yet some have interesting flowering structures that add appeal to the planting. Some grasses, such as indiangrass, are well suited as stand-alone or clumps of accent plants, whereas others are better suited for filling in group plantings.

Forbs are the broadleaved plants in a prairie and often have showy blooms. Forbs may add color, texture, habitat for wildlife, and even scent to the planting.

D indicates plants best for dry sites,
M indicates plants best for mesic sites,
W indicates plants best for wet sites

Native Iowa Grasses

Big bluestem andropogon gerardii - M
Indiangrass sorghastrum nutens - M
Switchgrass panicum virgatum - M
Little bluestem schizachryium scoparrium - DM
Canada wildrye elymus canadensis - M
Sideoats grama bouteloua curtipendula - M
Prairie dropseed sporobolus heterolepis - DM

Native Iowa Forbs

Butterfly Milkweed Ascelpias tuberosa - M
Swamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnate - W
Cardinal Flower Lobaelia cardinalis - W
Great Blue Lobelia Lobelia syphilitica -WM
New England Aster Aster nova-angliae - M
Plains Tickseed Coreopsis tinctoria - DM
Prairie Tickseed Coreopsis palmate - DM
Pale Purple Coneflower Echinacea pallida -M
Purple Coneflower Echinacea purpurea - M
Bottle Gentian Gentiana andrewsii - M

Prairie Smoke Geum trifolium - MD
False Sunflower Heliopsis helianthoides - WM
Prairie Blazing Star Liatris pycnostachya - M
Rough Blazing Star Liatris aspera - DM
Leadplant Amorpha canescens - DM
Shooting Star Dodecatheon meadia - DM
Golden Alexander Zizia aurea - DM
Wild Bergamot Monarda fistulosa - DM
Yellow Coneflower Ratibida pinnata -WM
Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta - M
Canada Goldenrod Solidago Canadensis - M
Gray Goldenrod Soidago nemoralis - M
Stiff Goldenrod Solidago rigida - M
Spiderwort Tradescantia ohioensis - WM
Compass Plant Silphium laciniatum - M
Purple Prairie Clover Dalea purpurea - M
White Prairie Clover Dalea candida - DM
Bushclover Lespedeza capitata - DM
Wild Petunia Ruellia humilis - M
Rattlesnake Master Eryngium yuccafolium - DM

Information from: Introduction to Iowa Native Prairie Plants, April 2004, ISU Extension - Urban Agriculture