Midway Message

Thanks for your interest in the Midway Prairie Garden.

Hope you enjoy the native prairie plants in this garden year round. When adding a new plant to your garden, remember to Go Native!

A Little Background

This garden was established in 2013 with gardeners in mind. The design of the garden was to showcase plants as they might be used in the home landscape rather than as a restored prairie. Thereby encouraging and exposing you to plants you might add to your garden.

Prairie loving plants were selected for this sites' location, which offered full sunlight and sandier soils. More often than not, prairie/native plants are drought tolerant and long lived so they don't need a lot of fuss. Here they are pretty much on their own at this little oasis.

Also as a favorite of local pollinating insects and birds, they benefit our ecosystem. Much preferred over hybridized varieties.


How to Find Your Favorite Plants

You will find in this blog a separate listing of each of the twenty one plants growing at Midway Prairie Garden. Just click on the common name and find out more. When you are visiting the garden you'll see wood plaques with the common plant name in yellow.

The information in this blog also includes the botanical name of the plant. This is very important to know when you want to find and purchase the same exact plant. Common names are often used for hybrids and other varieties of plants. So the exact botanical name will get you the exact same plant.

A brief description is included, aimed at gardeners, highlighting some of the attributes of specific prairie plants for your home landscape. Plus the benefits to pollinators and nectar loving insects, and birds, which also enjoy the plant as a food source.

Photos of the prairie plants are included showing the blooms and seasonal interest. The plan is to add more photos as they become available. If you've got a great photo to share let us know.

Here are some links to the sources used for the descriptions, in addition to a couple of great places for purchasing prairie/native plants. Please check out your local garden centers first. It's always good to support your own community businesses when you can.

Note: If you happen to not live in the same region, try contacting the university system in your state. Ask for an agriculture extension office near you, to obtain more information on native plants suitable for your area.

Your comments and questions are welcome. Please be kind and considerate when posting to this blog site since it becomes public information. Your patience is appreciated. Thank you.


Sources for ordering and more information:
www.prairienursery.com
www.prairiemoon.com
www.wildflower.org
wisflora.herbarium.wisc.edu


Be sure to also check out and visit:
www.Bike4trails.com for Great River State Trail map and connecting trails.
www.dnr.wi.gov search for "Midway Railroad Prairie State Natural Area" and "Great River State Trail" and "Perrot State Park", for information on other great places to visit.
www.explorelacrosse.com  area lodging and visitor information.
www.trempealeau.net local lodging and visitor information.

Special Thanks to:
Great River State Trail Friends
Volunteer Master Naturalist Program
Perrot State Park

Smooth Aster-Aster laevis

Smooth Aster Blooms

You'll enjoy a profusion of lavender-blue star- like flowers from August all the way into November. As a late bloomer, it's one of the few plants for butterflies seeking nectar in autumn. 


The strong 3 foot smooth stems help the aster stand out in a garden. Keep in full sun for best blooming.

In the lower half of Wisconsin, the Pearl Crescent butterfly finds this plant a favorite for larval hosting.






Fall Interest

Note:

Please remember to not pick flowers, gather seeds or dig plants without permission from any land owner. It is not allowed on any state or federal properties, so everyone (people and animals) can benefit and enjoy these amazing plants.


More Information: wisflora.herbarium.wisc.edu

Winter Interest



Mid Spring

Wild Petunia-Ruellia humilis

Wild Petunia Blooms

The lovely lavender to lilac blue bell-shaped blooms resemble petunias, but are not related.

This shorter 1-2 foot bushy plant will hold it's own with more aggressive plants. The seed pods explode sending out more wild petunia plants for next year.


The flowers will keep coming all summer long and so will a variety of insect pollinators. A favorite of long tongued bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Ruellia is a host plant for the Buckeye Butterfly.

Late Fall Interest

As long as the soil is well drained, you'll want to add this rare little gem to the front row so you can enjoy. It can even take some shade.






Note:

Please remember to not pick flowers, gather seeds or dig plants without permission from any land owner. It is not allowed on any state or federal properties, so everyone (people and animals) can benefit and enjoy these amazing plants.


Other Benefits:



Winter Interest

Deer Resistant


More Information: wisflora.herbarium.wisc.edu






Spring Interest

Prairie Smoke-Geum triflorum

Prairie Smoke Flower

The wispy seed heads of the Wisconsin native Prairie Smoke plant will make an enchanting addition to any sunny border or rock garden.


You'll know it's spring when the ferny leaves send up their flower stems. Nodding pink blooms attract the earliest of native bees and butterflies through June. Then come fall when gray green foliage changes to muted purples and oranges you'll be glad you planted Prairie Smoke.











Late Fall Interest

Save space for this modest sized prairie plant growing 6-10" wide, with bloom stems up to 18". Gradually spreading it will do best with less aggressive growers and can make a lovely ground cover on it's own. Once established this plant is drought tolerant. 




Select a well drained soil that won't be wet in the winter. The Prairie Smoke likes a bit more moisture in spring. You may want to dig and divide every 3-4 years to reinvigorate and spread the joy to fellow gardeners. 





Also known as: 


Early Spring

Old Man's Whiskers

Other Uses:

Prairie Smoke roots and seedpods have been valued for medicinal purposes.

Dry for flower arrangements- pick the entire flower stem and hang upside down to dry.

Note:

Please remember to not pick flowers, gather seeds or dig plants without permission from any land owner. It is not allowed on any state or federal properties, so everyone (people and animals) can benefit and enjoy these amazing plants.


Other Benefits:

Deer Resistant


More Information: wisflora.herbarium.wisc.edu

Butterflyweed-Asclepias tuberosa

Butterflyweed Blooms

A weed or not, don't let the name fool you. This plant offers attractive flat top, bright orange blooms for you and a variety of butterflies to enjoy most of the summer.

A low bushy plant of 1 1/2 to 2 feet may need some extra support from other plants to remain upright. Combine with native grasses.

Grow in full sun and enjoy the many butterflies and pollinators that visit. Your butterflyweed will also become host to Gray Hair Streak, Monarchs and Queen Butterfly Larvae.


Although related to other milkweeds this plant lacks the milky sap. There are many other milkweeds you may want to include in your garden to attract and help butterflies. Also of special value to bees.




Fall Interest

Also Known as:

Orange Milkweed


Other Uses:

Roots used by settlers and Native People, but also has toxic properties.

Does well as a cut flower.
 

Other Benefits:

Deer Resistant


Note:

Pods-Winter Interest

Please remember to not pick flowers, gather seeds or dig plants without permission from any land owner. It is not allowed on any state or federal properties, so everyone (people and animals) can benefit and enjoy these amazing plants.


More Information: wisflora.herbarium.wisc.edu

Spring Interest

Pods-Fall Interest

Columbine-Aquilegia canadensis

Columbine Blooms

These first blooms of spring bring nectar to returning hummingbirds and hawk moths.

In April and May the lantern like flowers in red and yellow can make a pretty border in the garden. Or create a colony with this self naturalizing perennial, in full sun or shade.

The blue-green foliage may also stay somewhat evergreen in a mild winters. Finches and Buntings will enjoy the seeds from Columbine.





Other Benefits:

Somewhat Deer Resistant




Fall Interest

Note:


Please remember to not pick flowers, gather seeds or dig plants without permission from any land owner. It is not allowed on any state or federal properties, so everyone (people and animals) can benefit and enjoy these amazing plants.


More Information: wisflora.herbarium.wisc.edu

Early Spring

 

Compass Plant-Silphium lacinatum

Blooms-Compass Plant

Which way you say. This unusual plants leaves have a tendency to orient themselves along a north to south axis along the stems.

It's height of  up to 6-8 feet makes it an icon in the back of your garden. Mature plants can have up to 100 yellow sun flower-like blooms from June to September.  Find a good site for this slow growing and long lived perennial where you can enjoy for many years. Some say it can live up to 100 years.

The plants height makes it a great perch for birds and they will enjoy the seeds too. 




Also Known as:

Rosinweed

Fall Interest

Winter Interest

Other Benefits:

Hardened sap was once used as a chewing gum


Note:

Please remember to not pick flowers, gather seeds or dig plants without permission from any land owner. It is not allowed on any state or federal properties, so everyone (people and animals) can benefit and enjoy these amazing plants.


More Information: wisflora.herbarium.wisc.edu



Mid Spring

Downy Phlox-Phlox pilosa

Downy Phlox Blooms

Welcome spring with flaming pink mounds of this low growing phlox.

From early May to June the fragrant flowers are a source of nectar for returning hummingbirds, butterflies and skippers.

They tolerate a little shade and slightly damp loamy soil.

Late Fall Interest

Also known as:  Prairie Phlox

Note:

Please remember to not pick flowers, gather seeds or dig plants without permission from any land owner. It is not allowed on any state or federal properties, so everyone (people and animals) can benefit and enjoy these amazing plants.


More Information: wisflora.herbarium.wisc.edu

Early Spring

Harebell-Campanula rotundiflora

Harebell Blooms

This delicate plant displays small blue-violet bell-shaped flowers nodding from the tips of  twelve inch wiry stems. Loose clusters of flowers in a sunny or shady spot will attract hummingbirds to your garden.

A repeat bloomer all summer long, this plant will reseed itself in rocky soils. A perfect plant for crevices and even a little shade.





Harebell Fall Interest

Also known as: 

Blue Bell Flower


Note:

Please remember to not pick flowers, gather seeds or dig plants without permission from any land owner. It is not allowed on any state or federal properties, so everyone (people and animals) can benefit and enjoy these amazing plants.



More Information: wisflora.herbarium.wisc.edu



Winter Interest

Early Spring

Lanceleaf Coreopsis- Coreopsis lancelata

Bloom-Lanceleaf Coreopsis

Golden yellow rays of flowers in spring to summer. The 1 1/2 inch blooms atop 1-2 foot clumps will repeat bloom if you take care to deadhead old flowers. Any spent blooms left will happily reseed themselves and you can end up with a full colony of coreopsis.

Mature plants will benefit from fall dividing, just in time to share them among friends. Visiting pollinators, nectar loving insects, as well as song birds for ripe seeds, will also be happy you made room in your garden. This easy plant is drought tolerant.

Fall Interest

Also known as: 

Lance-leaf tickseed


Other Benefits:

Flower for Arrangements

Note:

Please remember to not pick flowers, gather seeds or dig plants without permission from any land owner. It is not allowed on any state or federal properties, so everyone (people and animals) can benefit and enjoy these amazing plants.




More Information: wisflora.herbarium.wisc.edu

Early Spring

Little Bluestem-Schizachyrium scorparium

Late Fall Interest

Little Bluestem equals the beauty of other ornamental grasses. The upright three foot slender bunchgrass goes from blue-green in the summer, changing after the first frost to a coppery pink.

Grasses are a great compliment to other flowering prairie plants. Giving them stability to stand upright and offering nesting and coverage for insects and birds. 

As a host plant for many varieties of skipper larvae, small birds will also enjoy the seeds from fall into winter.

Whether its waving in the wind or the winter interest these grasses won't keep you mowing all summer. Excelling in sandy dry soils, you won't have to put the sprinkler out either.


Note:



Winter Interest

Please remember to not pick flowers, gather seeds or dig plants without permission from any land owner. It is not allowed on any state or federal properties, so everyone (people and animals) can benefit and enjoy these amazing plants.

Other Benefits: Deer Resistant


More Information: wisflora.herbarium.wisc.edu


Mid Spring

Ohio Spiderwort-Tradescantia ohiensis

Ohio Spiderwort Blooms

Enjoy the deep blue blooms each morning from May to July. By noon the flowers will close up unless it's a cloudy day. See if you can find some afternoon shade in your garden for this plant.. 

Growing up to two feet the grassy like leaves can be cut back mid summer to encourage a fall bloom.

Easy to divide when over crowed.






Note:



Fall Interest

Please remember to not pick flowers, gather seeds or dig plants without permission from any land owner. It is not allowed on any state or federal properties, so everyone (people and animals) can benefit and enjoy these amazing plants.


More Information: wisflora.herbarium.wisc.edu

Mid Spring

Prairie Blazingstar-Liatris pycnostachya

Early Bloom-Prairie Blazingstar

Blooming from the top downward on tall four foot spikes from July to September.

The densely packed tiny lavender flowers attract Butterflies, Bees and Hummingbirds. Maybe you'll even get a visit from the rare Glorious Flower Moth.

Find a sunny spot in most soils, even moist clays.


Also Known as:

Prairie Gay Flower

Other Benefits:
 

Deer Resistant

 

Other Uses:
 

Fall Interest

Excellent cut and dried flower.


Note:

Please remember to not pick flowers, gather seeds or dig plants without permission from any land owner. It is not allowed on any state or federal properties, so everyone (people and animals) can benefit and enjoy these amazing plants.


Winter Interest



Mid Spring

More Information: wisflora.herbarium.wisc.edu

Prairie Dropseed-Sporobolus heterolepsis

Fall Interest

A four foot fountain of emerald green in the summer to golden tones in the autumn. You'll fall in love with this finely textured grass. Use it as an ornamental on its own or for a distinctive border.

Seed eating birds will love it, as well as the Leonard Skipper. Seed heads form in August to September.

Besides the wonderful winter interest, drop seed is also fragrant.


Also Know as:

Northern Drop-Seed


Other Uses:

Plains Indians used the ground seed to make a tasty flour.


Winter Interest

 


Note:

Please remember to not pick flowers, gather seeds or dig plants without permission from any land owner. It is not allowed on any state or federal properties, so everyone (people and animals) can benefit and enjoy these amazing plants.




More Information: wisflora.herbarium.wisc.edu

Mid Spring

Prairie Onion-Allium stellatum

Bloom- Prairie Onion

From chive-like blades of grass the Prairie Onion sends up clusters of starry-like flowers up to two feet. The globes bloom from pink to purple in late summer attracting a variety of pollinators.

Great for rock gardens or among less aggressive plants and they can take a little shade.




Also Know as:

Wild Onion


Other Benefits:

Deer Resistant

Other Uses:

Early explorers ate them. Most are edible and have a strong onion like smell 


Winter Interest

Note:


Please remember to not pick flowers, gather seeds or dig plants without permission from any land owner. It is not allowed on any state or federal properties, so everyone (people and animals) can benefit and enjoy these amazing plants.

More Information: wisflora.herbarium.wisc.edu

Fall Interest

Early Spring