Prairie Seed Source

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Specialists in Prairie Restoration
P.O. Box 83
North Lake, Wisconsin 53064-0083

Contents

Prairie Information

Welcome

Dear Friend,

Above is a depiction of an intact ecosystem; animals, prairie - and people. The intimacy that nessarily developed between land and people in this life style is nearly gone along with virtually all the prairie. In city and suburban areas mono-cultural lawns have replaced native plant communities. We need to realize that in our attempts to "maintain" our entire properties, our efforts are accuring an incalculable loss: natural resources consumption, species extinction, air, water, soil and light pollution.

People can now regain that connectedness to our planet. Even if we do not replant entire prairies, wetlands or forests we can leave areas of our properties unmowed, unmaintained. Mow only as much lawn as you will make use of and donate the remainder to habitat for two, four, and even no-legged.

When you decide to take the next step and replant native prairie species, our catalog can help.

Due to the increased costs of printing and mailing we can no longer place individuals on our mailing list who simply request a catalog. Individuals purchasing from Prairie Seed Source will be placed on our two year mailing list.

If you have any questions, please contact us. We will do our best to find answers.

Sincerely,

Robert Ahrenhoerster

Prairie Seed Source is dedicated to the preservation and proliferation of southeastern Wisconsin prairie genotype and related ecosystem members.

THE PRAIRIE

The prairie is a unique ecological system. As with all ecosystems, its parts - climate, soil, plants, and animals - are interrelated and constantly changing. It is characterized by a plant cover devoid of trees and dominated by grasses and forbs (perennial wildflowers). Less common but still important to the prairie are shrubs and sedges (grass-like plants with triangular stems). Prairie animals are specially adapted to thrive on grasslands rather than in forests and wetlands.

Prairies were very busy, very productive places, each year converting the sun's energy into a wild forage crop sufficient to feed, over their original expanse, 30 million bison. These large herbivores ranged in size from 40 pound calves to 2,000 pound bulls. Yet the prairie supported a wider variety of animal life than just bison. There were many species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects that were found almost exclusively on the prairie. It was through the continual recycling of this large and diverse number of plants and animals, that soil depth and fertility were gradually built up, making prairie soil some of the richest in the world.

Adapted from Prairie Primer by Stan Nichold and Lynn Entine, January 1976, University of Wisconsin Extension.

MOISTURE REQUIREMENTS

Prairie plants grow in a variety of soil and moisture conditions. Based on available moisture, prairie is divided into five types; wet, wet-mesic, mesic, dry-mesic, and dry. There is no sharp distinction between the types. One blends into the next. Basic to catagorizing prairie by moisture is understanding how soil, slope, wind exposure, sun exposure, and water-table level affect the amount of moisture that becomes available for a plant's growth. In general, sandy soils and steep south-facing slopes will support only dry and dry-mesic prairie. Low, flat areas with high water tables will carry wet and wet-mesic prairie. (Marsh lands with cattails would be too wet for prairie). Rich, well-drained soils on flat uplands will grow mesic prairie (most good garden soil is mesic). Some prairie plants grow in only one prairie type, while others tolerate nearly all moisture conditions.

SAND PRAIRIES

Sand prairies or sand barrens, as they are sometimes called, are found on glacial and alluvial deposits that are made up of 50% or more sand. These communities are characterized by plant ground covers that range from 15% to 80% of the total surface area. In many sand prairies a large percentage of the ground cover is comprised of mosses and lichens. These species are capable of surviving under extreme conditions, yet in some ways they are very delicate. For example, a person's footprint can destroy the moss ground cover exposing the underlying sand to wind. As the wind blows over the exposed sand, it scoops out a hole. Sometimes the hole is scooped out faster than growing plants can repair it. When this happens a blow-out is formed. Blowouts can range in size from a few square feet to many acres.

The sand prairie species listed in our catalog are grown on our own restorations.

OAK OPENINGS

Where the prairie met the forests of the eastern United States there was a broad transition zone composed of a mosaic of prairie, savanna and forest. Savannas are grassland-forest hybrids, very open forests with less than twenty mature trees per acre and with an understory of grasses, forbes and shrubs. In the Midwest the most common kind of savanna was the oak opening. The trees of the oak opening were most frequently bur oaks, and the understory, with few exceptions, was prairie plants. Within the seed-species are several species found only in oak openings. These species are specially noted.

HOW TO RESTORE A PRAIRIE

Select the Site
  • The site can be in virtually any sunny location.
  • The exception is sites with cattails are likely to be too wet.
Prepare the Site
  • Only when necessray, apply a short-lived herbicide.
  • Removal of existing plant cover by tillage to a maximum depth of 2 inches.
  • Repeat tillage throughout one growing season; approximately once a month.
Prepare the Seed Bed
  • Lightly scarify soil surface. As you walk across the prepared site you should be able to see footprints but there should be no depth to them.
Sow the Seed
  • Divide seed mix in half.
  • Place one half off to the side.
  • Cover entire site North/South with one half of the seed mix.
  • Cover the entire site East/West with the rest of the seeds.
  • "Set" seed into the seedbed; use the back of a garden rake, a roller, or lightly sprinkle.
Care for the Site in the First Year
  • Keep site mowed to a height of 4 to 6 inches - if necessary.
Burning the Site
  • The first burn should include the entire site.
  • Future burns should cover only portions of the site.

Custom Bulk Seed

Prairie Seed Source provides custom bulk seed mixes for sites of ¼ acre and up
only in Southeastern Wisconsin.

Mixes for sites of average soil and moisture contain 60 to 80 species.
Mixes for sites with varying moisture and soil might contain 150 species or more.

This kind of diversity is important for a number of reasons
  1. More species give you more flowers and more color throughout the growing season.
  2. Each species fills a niche. The more niches you fill, the less likely it will be that alien/weedy species will fill them.
  3. Southeastern Wisconsin historically had 250 to 300 prairie species in its all its prairies, from wet to dry. Our nicely diverse mixes will produce plantings that come much closer to what the original prairies looked like.
  4. The more diversity you have the better the overall structure of the plant community will be. The better the structure, the more habitat for prairie creatures - from butterflies to birds to the four-legged.
Our seed is all hand picked over the entire period each species' seed ripens. This ensures you will have the longest blooming period for each species. Plants from seeds harvested with a combine, by their very nature, are genetically less diverse and hence bloom over a much shorter period than our hand picked seeds.

Our Seed is Southeastern Wisconsin Genotype
When you start your Southeastern Wisconsin prairie, our seed clearly out performs seed from other parts of the state or other states. Of course this is with an eye on the long term picture; a short series of years does not test the genotype but 100 years will show the marvelous adaption of these plants to their home. For example, a dry praire that suffered through a series of wet years will stake out its ground during a drought.

Services

Consultation Services

Consultation services are available.
Please Contact Us.
Prairie Seed Source
P.O. Box 83
 North Lake, Wisconsin 53064-0083 

Slide Presentations

Environmental groups, schools and other related groups will enjoy the presentations offered below. Each presentation is a fact-filled, color-filled exploration of prairie knowledge and lore. Please contact us.

  1. CHIWAUKEE PRAIRIE: This program will introduce you to one of the world's most unique prairies. It will take you from spring to summer then through fall, giving you a rare opportunity to experience over 70 species in peak bloom.
    1 hour 30 minutes

  2. PRAIRIE RESTORATION FOR THE BEGINNER: Learn how to restore a portion of the prairie plant community in your yard. Learn why restoring a "true" prairie is impossible. Ideas on site preparation and preparation, seed/species selection and seeding, first year maintenance and other facts will be discussed. Techniques and tools of controlled burns are also included.
    2 hours

  3. INSECTS IN THE PRAIRIE AND INSECT FOLKLORE: Covers the importance of insects/insect diversity. Over 40 species from ten orders. Learn how to attract them and hear how they came to be -- through lore.
    1 hour 30 minutes

  4. We can produce other prairie programs. Contact us with your request.

We present all programs. Programs are not shipped by themselves.

Order

Guarantee

You must be completely satisfied with the condition of your shipment. If you are not, we will gladly refund to you the purchase price of all items returned within 30 days of the shipping date.

- Prairie Seed Source, Robert Ahrenhoerster

About Our Seeds

The seed we offer is representative of southeastern Wisconsin prairie and is harvested either from our restoration areas or from local natural areas where permission has been obtained. However, due to the amount of seed collected, completely clean seed and a guarantee of vaibility are not possible.

Germination rates of prairie species can vary greatly. It is part of the prairie ecosystem to stagger the germination of seeds over a period of several years. Those seeds that do germinate in the first year may be easily overlooked as most prairie species put a great deal of their early growth into their root system rather than producing foliage and/or blooms.

HOW TO SELECT SEED

When ordering your seed, first determine the prairie type or types suitable for your site. The categorizing clues outlined above should help you identify your site's appropriate type or types. Then refer to the moisture guide on the right side of the species list.

Packet Coverage

Our packets are designed primarily for the prairie garden or to start under controlled conditions to use as transplants. Each packet contains enough seed to yield a seedling coverage appropriate for that species equal to ten square feet (an area just over 3.15' by 3.15').

Place an Order

Most packets of seed are $1.00 EACH
Some species are $2.00 EACH, these are indicated by red text
($2.00 each: ID 11, 12, 13, 64, 66, 69, 163, 165, 168, 169)

Maximum 5 Packets per Species
Bulk Seed Only to Southeastern Wisconsin and Northeastern Illinois

Ship to:

Address:

City: State: Zip code:

Go to the following table, enter the numbers of packets you want, and then click the "Send Order" button.

AOL and Others Sometimes Block Our Form
If you do not receive an email reply, please
Mail your order to
Prairie Seed Source
P.O. Box 83
North Lake, Wisconsin 53064-0083
Email your order to
Rasillon@Ameritech.net

Seeds

All packets of seed are $1.00 EACH
Some species are $2.00 EACH, these are indicated by red text
($2.00 each: ID 11, 12, 13, 64, 66, 69, 163, 165, 168, 169)

Seeds Arranged by Blooming Time

> 
ID Packets Genus Species Common Name Color Grass
Forb
Sedge
Shrub		 Moisture Guide
W WM M DM D
Plants Blooming in May
1 Anemone patens pasque flower lavender Forb       DM D
2 Besseya bullii kitten tail yellow Forb       DM D
3 Geum triflorum prairie smoke red Forb     M DM  
4 Ranunculus rhomboideus prairie buttercup yellow Forb       DM D
5 Viola pedata birdsfoot violet blue Forb       DM D
6 Anemone cylindrica thimbleweed white Forb     M DM D
7 Antennaria neglecta field pussytoes cream Forb   W WM M DM
8 Cornus racemosa red panicale dogwood white Shrub     M DM  
9 Dodecatheon media shooting star pink Forb   WM M DM  
10 Heuchera richardsonii alum root green/yellow Forb   WM M DM  
11
 $2		 Lithospermum incisum fringed yellow puccoon yellow Forb     DM D
12
 $2		 Lithospermum caroliniense puccoon gold Forb       DM D
13
 $2		 Lithospermum canescens hoary puccoon gold Forb       DM D
14 Lobelia spicata pale spike lobelia light blue Forb       DM D
15 Potentilla arguta tall cinquefoil light yellow Forb     M DM  
16 Anemone canadensis Canada windflower white Forb   WM M    
17 Rosa carolina meadow rue pink Forb     M DM  
18 Sisrynchium angustifolium blue eyed grass blue Forb       DM D
19 Sisrynchium campestre blue eyed grass deep blue Forb   WM M    
20 Phlox pilosa downy phlox pink Forb   WM M DM  
21 Castilleja coccinea painted cup yellow Forb   WM M    
22 Lupinus perennis lupine blue Forb       DM D
23 Taenidia integerrima yellow pimpernel yellow Forb     M    
24 Fragaria virginiana common strawberry white Forb   WM M DM  
25 Carex bicknelli sedge species   Sedge   WM M DM  
26 Thalictrum dasycarpum meadowrue white Forb   WM M    
27 Saxifraga pensylvanica swamp saxifrage white Forb W        
28 Out of Stock Valeriana ciliata edible valerian white Forb   WM M    
29 Tradescantia ohiensis spiderwort blue Forb   WM M DM  
30 Zizia aptera heart leaf alexanders yellow Forb   WM M DM  
31 Zizia aurea golden alexanders yellow Forb   WM M DM  
Plants Blooming in Early June
32 Koeleria cristata june grass   Grass       DM D
33 Helianthemum canadense frostweed yellow Forb       DM D
34 Baptisia leucantha creamy indigo light yellow Forb     M DM  
35 Paspalum ciliatifolium     Grass         D
36 Bromus ciliatus fringed brome   Grass   WM M    
37 Echinacea pallida pale purple coneflower magneta Forb     M DM  
38 Amorpha canescens lead plant violet Forb     M DM  
39 Apocynum androsaemifolium spotted dogbane pink Forb     M DM  
40 Asclepias tuberosa bufferfly weed orange Forb     M DM  
41 Blephilia ciliata wood mint pink Forb     M DM  
42 Out of Stock Cacalia tuberosa tuberous Indian plantain white Forb W WM      
43 Cacalia atriplicifolia pale Indian plantain cream Forb     M DM  
44 Penstemon digitalis foxglove penstemon white Forb     M DM  
45 Ceanothus americanus New Jersey tea white Shrub     M    
46 Baptisia leucophaea prairie false indigo white Forb   WM M    
47 Coreopsis palmata palm leaved coreopsis yellow Forb   WM M DM  
48 Danthonia spicata poverty oats   Grass       DM D
Plants Blooming in Late June
49 Monarda fistulosa wild bergamot pink Forb     M DM  
50 Iris versicolor blue flag blue Forb W WM      
51 Petalostemum candidum white prairie clover white Forb     M DM  
52 Rudbeckia hirta black eyed Susan yellow Forb   WM M DM  
53 Scrophularia lanceolata figwort brown Forb   WM M    
54 Hypericum pyramidatum great Saint Johnswort yellow Forb   WM M    
55 Solidago missouriensis Missouri goldenrod yellow Forb   WM M    
56 Silphium laciniatum compass plant yellow Forb   WM M DM  
57 Arenaria stricta rock sandwort white Forb       DM D
58 Stipa spartea needle grass   Grass       DM D
59 Solidago ridellii Ridell's goldenrod yellow Forb W WM      
60 Out of Stock Allium canadense wild garlic pink Forb   WM M    
61 Polygala seneca Seneca snakeroot white Forb     M DM  
62 Gallium borale northern bedstraw white Forb     M DM  
63 Veronicastrum virginicum Culver's root white Forb   WM M    
64
 $2		 Lathyrus venosus vetchling pink Forb   WM M    
65 Oenothera rhombipetala slender evening primrose yellow Forb       DM D
Plants Blooming in Early July
66
 $2		 Out of Stock Asclepias amplexicaulis blunt leaved milkweed pink Forb         D
67 Allium cernuum nodding wild onion pink Forb   WM M DM  
68 Asclepias incarnata marsh milkweed red Forb W WM      
69
 $2		 Vica americana American vetch purple Forb   WM M DM  
70 Bouteloua curtipendula side oats gramma   Forb       DM D
71 Senecio pauperculus ragwort yellow Forb   WM M    
72 Calamagrostis canadensis blue joint grass   Grass W WM      
73 Lillium superbum turk's cap lilly orange Forb W WM      
74 Desmodium canadense showy tick trefoil magenta Forb     M    
75 Euphorbia corollata folowering spurge white Forb     M DM  
76 Agropyron trachycalum slender wheat grass   Grass     M DM  
77 Linum virginianum yellow flax yellow Forb       DM D
78 Helianthus occidentalis western sunflower yellow Forb     M DM D
79 Hieracium longipilum long hair hawkweek yellow Forb       DM D
80 Liatris spicata dense blazing star magenta Forb W WM      
81 Liatris pycnostachya dense gayfeather magenta Forb   WM M    
82 Artemisia ludoviciana white prairie sage white Forb   WM M DM  
83 Oxipolis rigidior cowbane white Forb W WM      
Plants Blooming in Late July
84 Petalostemum pupureum purple prairie clover magenta Forb     M DM D
85 Campanulaceae rotundifolia harebell blue Forb     M DM D
86 Cirsium discolor field thistle magenta Forb   WM M    
87 Cirsium muticum swamp thistle pink Forb W WM      
88 Polygonatum biflorum Solomon's seal green Forb   WM M DM  
89 Ratibida pinnata gray headed coneflower yellow Forb   WM M DM  
90 Silphium terebinthinaceum prairie dock yellow Forb   WM M    
91 Out of Stock Desmodium paniculatum panicled tick trefoil pink Forb     M    
92 Verbena stricta hoary vervain blue Forb     M DM  
93 Out of Stock Lythrum alatum wing angled loosestrife magenta Forb W WM      
94 Lysimachia quadriflora prairie loosestrife yellow Forb W WM      
95 Out of Stock Lobelia kalmii brook lobelia light blue Forb W        
96 Hieracium canadense hawkweed yellow Forb     M DM  
97 Chelone glabra turtlehead white Forb W        
98 Desmodium illinoense Illinois tick-trefoil magneta Forb     M DM  
99 Andropogon gerardi big bluestem   Grass   WM M DM  
100 Andropogon scoparius little bluestem   Grass     M DM D
101 Helipsus helianthoides ox-eye sunflower yellow Forb   WM M    
102 Asclepias verticillata whorled milkweed white Forb       DM D
103 Aster novae-angliae New England Aster violet Forb   WM M    
104 Aster sericeus silky aster pink Forb       DM D
Plants Blooming in August
105 Astragalus canadensis milk-vetch cream Forb       DM  
106 Aureolaria grandiflora yellow false foxglove yellow Forb     M DM  
107 Helianthus strumosus rough sunflower yellow Forb     M DM  
108 Liatris cylindracea dwarf blazing star magenta Forb       DM D
109 Oenothera biennis evning primrose yellow Forb     M DM  
110 Panicum virgatum switchgrass   Grass   WM M DM  
111 Pycnanthemum virginianum mountain mint pink Forb   WM M    
112 Aster umbellatus flat-top aster white Forb   WM M DM  
113 Solidago speciosa showy goldenrod yellow Forb     M DM  
114 Solidago nemoralis gray goldenrod yellow Forb       DM D
115 Gentiana flavida creamy gentian cream Forb     M DM  
116 Aster linarifolius savory-leaf aster blue Forb       DM D
117 Aster ptarmicoides white aster white Forb       DM D
118 Phragmites communis phragmites   Grass W WM      
119 Aster laevis smooth aster blue Forb   WM M DM  
120 Eryngium yuccifolium rattlesnake master green/white Forb   WM M    
121 Helianthus giganteus tall sunflower yellow Forb   WM M    
122 Helianthus laetiflorus showy sunflower yellow Forb     M DM  
123 Kuhnia eupatoroides false boneset cream Forb     M DM  
124 Lespedeza capitata roundheaded bush clover cream Forb     M DM D
125 Pedicularis lanceolata lousewort light yellow Forb W WM      
126 Liatris aspera button snakeroot magenta Forb     M DM  
127 Liatris ligulistylis blazing star magenta Forb     M DM  
Plants Blooming in September
128 Parthenium integrifolium wild quinine white Forb   WM M    
129 Silphium integrilfolium rosinweed yellow Forb     M DM  
130 Solidago rigida stiff goldenrod yellow Forb     M DM  
131 Sorghastrum nutans Indian grass   Grass   WM M DM  
132 Aster lateriflorus calico aster white Forb     M DM  
133 Spartina pectinata cord grass   Grass W WM      
134 Sporobolus heterolepsis prairie dropseed   Grass   WM M DM  
135 Helianthus grosseserratus sawtooth sunflower yellow Forb   WM M DM  
136 Silphium perfoliatum cup plant yellow Forb W WM      
137 Prenanthes racemosa wild white lettuce pink Forb   WM      
138 Aster azureus azure aster blue Forb   WM M DM  
139 Aster pilosus frost aster white Forb     M DM  
140 Celastrus scandens bittersweet light green Forb     M DM  
141 Conyza canadensis horseweed brown Forb       DM D
142 Elymus canadensis Canada wild rye   Forb   WM M DM  
143 Eragrostis spectabillis purple lovegrass   Grass       DM D
144 Gerardia tenuifolia gerardia pink Forb   WM      
145 Gentiana andrewsii bottle gentian viloet Forb   WM M    
146 Gentiana puberula downy gentian violet Forb       DM  
147 Gentiana quinquefolia stiff gentian lavenser Forb     M DM  
148 Gnaphalium obtusifolium sweet everlasting white Forb     M DM  
149 Hystrix patula bottle brush grass   Grass     M DM  
150 Eupatorium perfoliatum boneset white Forb W WM      
151 Gentiana crinita fringed gentian violet Forb W        
152 Lobelia siphilitica great lobelia blue Forb W WM      
153 Aster ericoides heath aster white Forb   WM M    
154 Sporobolus cryptandrus sand dropseed   Grass       DM D

Additional Species

ID Packets Genus Species Common Name Color Grass
Forb
Sedge
Shrub		 Moisture Guide Bloom
W WM M DM D
155 Eupatorium maculatum Joe Pye weed light purple Forb W WM M     July/September
156 Aster simplex panicled aster white Forb W WM M     August/October
157 Asclepias syriaca common milkweed dusty rose Forb   WM M DM   June/August
158 Penstemon hirsutus hairy penstemon white Forb       DM   June/July
159 Verbena hastata blue vervain blue Forb   WM M     July/September
160 Helenium autumnale sneezeweed yellow Forb W WM M     August/October
161 Solidago tenuifolia grass-leaved goldenrod yellow Forb   WM M     August/October
162 Gaura biennis Gaura pink Forb     M DM   June/October
163
 $2		 Opuntia humifusa prickly pear yellow Forb       DM D June/August
164 Smilax herbacea carrion flower light green Forb     M     May/June
165
 $2		 Pyrus coronaria prairie crab pink Tree   WM M DM   May
166 Aquilegia canadensis columbine orange Forb   WM M     June/July
167 Coreopsis lanceolata lance-leaved coreopsis yellow Forb     M DM   June/July
168
 $2		 Prunus pumila sand cherry white Shrub     M DM   June
169
 $2		 Convolvulus sepium hedge bindweed white or pink Forb   WM M DM   August/September
170 Zygadenus elegans camas lily white Forb     M DM D June/September
171 Monarda punctata dotted mint pink Forb       DM D July/September
172 Physostegia virginiana obedient plant pink Forb W WM M     August/September
173 Panicum libergii     Grass     M DM   June
174 Panicum subvillosum     Grass     M DM   June
175 Carex gravida long awned sedge   Sedge     M DM   July/August
176 Carex muhlenbergii sand bracted sedge   Sedge       DM D July/August

Dried Flower Uses

ID Genus Species Common Name Color Grass
Forb
Sedge
Shrub		 Moisture Guide
W WM M DM D
Pick In Bloom for Drying
113 Solidago speciosa showy goldenrod yellow Forb     M DM  
130 Solidago rigida stiff goldenrod yellow Forb     M DM  
142 Elymus canadensis Canada wild rye   Forb   WM M DM  
157 Asclepias syriaca common milkweed dusty rose Forb   WM M DM  
164 Smilax herbacea carrion flower light green Forb     M    
Pick In Seed for Drying
15 Potentilla arguta tall cinquefoil light yellow Forb     M DM  
44 Penstemon digitalis foxglove penstemon white Forb     M DM  
49 Monarda fistulosa wild bergamot pink Forb     M DM  
110 Panicum virgatum switchgrass   Grass   WM M DM  
120 Eryngium yuccifolium rattlesnake master green/white Forb   WM M    
124 Lespedeza capitata roundheaded bush clover cream Forb     M DM D
131 Sorghastrum nutans Indian grass   Grass   WM M DM  
140 Celastrus scandens bittersweet light green Forb     M DM  
148 Gnaphalium obtusifolium sweet everlasting white Forb     M DM  

Sand Prairie or Sand Barren Species

ID Genus Species Common Name Color Grass
Forb
Sedge
Shrub		 Moisture Guide
W WM M DM D
11 Lithospermum incisum fringed yellow puccoon yellow Forb       DM D
12 Lithospermum caroliniense puccoon gold Forb       DM D
32 Koeleria cristata june grass   Grass       DM D
35 Paspalum ciliatifolium     Grass         D
66 Asclepias amplexicaulis blunt leaved milkweed pink Forb         D
79 Hieracium longipilum long hair hawkweek yellow Forb       DM D
116 Aster linarifolius savory-leaf aster blue Forb       DM D
143 Eragrostis spectabillis purple lovegrass   Grass       DM D
146 Gentiana puberula downy gentian violet Forb       DM  
148 Gnaphalium obtusifolium sweet everlasting white Forb     M DM  
171 Monarda punctata dotted mint pink Forb       DM D
176 Carex muhlenbergii sand bracted sedge   Sedge       DM D

Oak Opening Species

ID Genus Species Common Name Color Grass
Forb
Sedge
Shrub		 Moisture Guide
W WM M DM D
33 Helianthemum canadense frostweed yellow Forb       DM D
91 Desmodium paniculatum panicled tick trefoil pink Forb     M    
106 Aureolaria grandiflora yellow false foxglove yellow Forb     M DM  
149 Hystrix patula bottle brush grass   Grass     M DM  
154 Sporobolus cryptandrus sand dropseed   Grass       DM D

Seed Mixtures

The Prairie Mix

The prairie mix is eleven seed packets of basic, easy-to-grow plants. Tell us the prairie type for your site, according to its moisture level, and we'll send you eleven starter species we recommend.

W-103
Wet mesic mix, contains: Meadowrue, blue joint grass, dense gayfeather, gray-headed coneflower, prairie dock, big bluestem, mountain mint, tall sunflower, Indian grass, cord grass, and sky-blue aster.

W-104
Mesic mix contains: Tellow pimpernel, wild bergamot, black-eyed Susan, compass plant, gray-headed coneflower, big bluestem, rattlesnake master, false boneset, stiff goldenrod, Indian grass, and frost aster.
W-105
Dry-mesic mix, contains: Lead plant, nedle grass, side-oats grama, purple prairie clover, little bluestem, false boneset, button snakeroot, rosin weed, stiff goldenrod, Indian grass, and Canada wild rye.

W-106
Dry mix, contains: Needle grass, side-oats grama, longhair hawkweed, hoary vervain, little bluestem, silky aster, dwarf blazing star, gray goldenrod, roundheaded bush-clover, prairie dropseed and pasque flower.
If a specific species in a Prairie Mix is out of stock, another appropriate species will be substituted.      
Prairie Mix - eleven packets $ 10 00

Restoration Packages for 100 and 200 Square Feet

PRAIRIE RESTORATION PACKAGE 1
D esigned to fill the gap between seed packets and bulk orders, this a good mix of over 50 mesic species (our choice please). With your previous site preparation this package is ready for a spring or fall planting of 10' by 10' (100 square feet). Included are a species list, complete planting instructions and first year maintenance suggestions.
$18.95

PRAIRIE RESTORATION PACKAGE 2
S ame as Prairie Restoration Package 1, only for 10' by 20' (200 square feet).
$33.95

Bulk Seed

Bulk seed prices are available for Southeastern Wisconsin customers. Please contact us.
Our bulk mixes for sites of 1 acre or more will contain (site dependant) 80-110 species

Merchandise

Pamphlets

How to Manage Small Prairie Fires
by Wayne Pauly

This pamphlet covers what, when, and how often to burn and also equipment, weather conditions, fire breaks, and hazards. Wayne is Wisconsin's Dane County naturalist and his writing is easy to read and comprehensive. While this pamphlet cannot guarantee success, it gives you the information nescessary to do your first controlled prairie burn.

Paper, each $300
Plus $0.50 postage and handling

Prairie Restoration for the Beginner
by Robert Ahrenhoerster & Trelen Wilson

Have a friend who wants to learn how to begin a prairie? Know someone who will be traveling next summer and would love to know where to stop and see prairie? Prairie Restoration for the Beginner is jam-packed with lots of this information! For the beginner, there's a short prairie history, benefits of prairie and sections on beginning to restore a prairie, preparing the soil, selecting seed, sowing the seed, transplanting, maintenance, and picking your own seed. There's a suggested readling list for attaining further information about many aspects of prairie. Also included is a listing of prairies/restorations for 17 states and 3 Canadian provinces. Each one gives total acres, closest city or county, prairie type, points of interest and ownership.

Paper, each $250
Plus $0.50 postage and handling

Bluebird
Houses

The Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) used to be a common sight in many areas including prairie oak opening