Better Wetlands

Native wildflowers

The showcase of color native wildflowers give from early spring through late summer may well be a highlight of restored wetland areas. Planting wildflowers is among the most likely of practices to instill an appreciation of nature’s beauty.

Black-eyed susan, blazing star, butterfly milkweed, compass plant, gayfeather, coneflowers, goldenrod, partridge pea, purple prairie clover, shooting star, tall bellflower, asters, wild bergamot, and rattlesnake master are among the many native wildflowers that can light up a prairie area with color in mid and late summer.

Most prairie wildflowers like full sun. For successful plantings, the seeds need a firm seedbed.

The wildflower area will be excellent for songbirds and butterflies, and will encourage a wider range of species of wildlife to make use of the area.

In most cases, native wildflower seeds can be mixed with native grass seed and planted together. Seedbed preparation will vary from site to site by soil type and other factors.

Planting native wildflowers will add color to the wetland's surroundings, as well as habitat for songbirds, mammals, butterflies and other insects.