PRAIRIE SEED MIXES

The numerous seed mixes offered through this program are designed to reintroduce a variety of native plants that used to dominate the open landscape throughout Sauk County. Native means wildflowers and grasses that are known to have grown wild in the native prairie in settlement times. These plants are not only colorful, but also offer habitat for a variety of wildlife. Songbirds, butterflies and a number of game species thrive in the food and cover offered by a native prairie.

The seeds that are included in this program are farm grown, which means they are grown locally and are more likely to produce a successful planting for you. Most of the seeds are grown from wild foundation seed, much of it hand-gathered under permit from Wisconsin State Natural Areas. These native seeds can be grown successfully because they have grown here for generations! There are only a few kinds of native foundation seed that could not be gathered here in Wisconsin, and that foundation seed is purchased from neighboring states. Each mix contains a well balanced blend of the seed species listed. Many species take two to three years to get established. Patience is required! Growers must also be careful to follow the detailed planting instructions that are provided with each mix .

PRAIRIE WILDFLOWERS

Any of the prairie wildflower seed mixes, planted at a rate of 4 ½ pounds per acre, will bring the sights, smells and sounds of the native prairie to your backyard all year long for many years to come. A sure hit for songbirds, hummingbirds, honeybees, and butterflies. All wildflower seed mixes will start your bloom season in April through October. Prefer full sun. If desired, these same wildflower mixes can also include native grasses.

Prairie Blossoms mix includes: Bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Blue vervain, Canadian milk vetch, Cup plant, Evening primrose, Golden Alexander, New England aster, Ox-eye, Partridge pea, Prairie blazing star, Purple coneflower, Rattlesnake master, Red milkweed, Rosinweed, Round-headed bush-clover, Sawtooth sunflower, Showy sunflower Smooth blue aster, Spiderwort, Stiff goldenrod, Sweet black-eyed Susan, White wild indigo, and Yellow coneflower.

Prairie Blossoms with Native Grass includes: Indian grass and Little bluestem.

Prairie Dawn mix includes: Bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Brown-eyed Susan, Butterfly milkweed, Evening primrose, Golden Alexander, Hoary vervain, Lanceleaf coreopsis, Lavender hyssop, Ox-eye, Partridge pea, Purple coneflower, Rattlesnake master, Rosinweed, Rough blazing star, Round-headed bush-clover, Showy sunflower, Smooth blue aster, Smooth penstemon, Spiderwort, Stiff goldenrod, Stiff coreopsis, Western sunflower, and Yellow coneflower.

Prairie Dawn with Native Grass includes: Little bluestem, Side-oats grama, and Prairie dropseed.

Prairie Mounds: This seed mixture has been specifically designed for septic fields and mound systems. Three native grasses and fifteen wildflowers bring an attractive look to a necessary feature. Shallow roots systems avoid potential septic system failure. This mix will bloom from April through October, and will usually not exceed three feet in height. Mix includes: Bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Golden Alexander, Lanceleaf coreopsis, Large-flowered beardtongue, Partridge pea, Purple coneflower, Purple prairie clover, Rattlesnake master, Rough blazing star, Spiderwort, Smooth penstemon, Stiff goldenrod, Western sunflower, White prairie clover, and Yellow coneflower.

Prairie Mounds with Native Grass includes: Little bluestem, Prairie dropseed, Side-oats grama.

SAVANNA WILDFLOWERS

Suitable for woodland edges, savannas, and woodland openings. These mixes prefer bright dappled shade with a few hours of direct sun each day.

Savanna Blooms: Savanna Blooms wildflower seed mix is at home on tough clay loam through deep prairie loam soils. It thrives in seasonally moist through well drained sites. Mix includes: Angelica, Anise hyssop, Bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Blue vervain, Blue flag Iris, Brown-eyed Susan, Culver's root, Golden Alexander, Great blue lobelia, Great St. John's wort, Joe Pye weed, Maryland senna, New England aster, Ox-eye, Prairie blazing star, Purple coneflower, Purple meadow rue, Smooth penstemon, Sneezeweed, Spiderwort, Stiff goldenrod, Sweet black-eyed Susan, and Wild golden glow.

Savanna Blooms with Native Grasses includes: Big bluestem and Virginia wild rye.

Savanna Sunset: Savanna Sunset wildflower seed mix is at home on deep prairie loams through light sandy loam soils. It thrives in seasonally dry through well drained sites. Mix includes: Anise hyssop, Bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Butterfly milkweed, Columbine Brown-eyed Susan, Golden Alexander, Dotted Great St. John's wort, Downy wood mint, Large-flowered beardtongue, Maryland senna, Ox-eye, Pale Indian plantain, Prairie cinquefoil, Rough blazing star, Purple coneflower, Purple prairie clover, Smooth blue aster, Smooth penstemon, Tall boneset, Spiderwort, Stiff goldenrod, Western sunflower, and White prairie clover.

Savanna Sunset with Native Grasses includes: Little bluestem and Canada wild rye.

Meadow Rain Garden: This mix thrives in seasonally wet conditions. It is at home in saturated soils, even those sites with temporary ponding. Mix includes: Angelica, Bergamot, Blue flag Iris, Blue vervain, Boneset, Cardinal flower, Culver's root, Cup plant, Dense blazing star, Prairie dock, Purple meadow rue, Red milkweed, Riddell's goldenrod, Sneezeweed, Spotted Joe Pye weed, Sweet black-eyed Susan, Sweet scented Indian Plantain, and Water horehound.

Meadow Rain Garden with Native Grasses includes: Virginia wild rye and Prairie cord grass.

Evergreen Veil: This mix is at home in acidic soil, as found under conifers. It thrives in medium moisture conditions. Includes: Alum root, Beach silver mound, Big leaf aster, Columbine, Cream false indigo, Flowering spurge, Leadplant, Lion's food, Lupine, Old-field goldenrod, Prairie cinquefoil, Prairie rose, Purple prairie clover, Rough blazing star , Round-headed bush clover, Sky blue aster, Spiderwort, Starry campion, Stiff coreopsis, Thimbleweed, Western sunflower, White prairie clover, Whorled milkweed, Wild geranium.

Evergreen Veil with Native Grasses includes: June grass, Little bluestem, and Side-Oats grama.

CONSERVATION HABITAT SEED MIXES

All of the Conservation Habitat seed mixes are extremely hardy mixtures of three native grasses at one to two pounds of grass seed/acre along with one ounce of native wildflowers, that will provide wildlife habitat in a tall grass prairie landscape with a touch of wild color .

Conservation Habitat Mix A Suitable for medium to moist soils. Prefers full sun to partial shade.

Includes: Big bluestem, Indian grass, Switch grass, Black-eyed Susan, Purple coneflower and Yellow coneflower.

Conservation Habitat Mix B includes: Big bluestem, Indian grass, Little bluestem, Black-eyed Susan, Purple prairie clover, and Yellow coneflower. Suitable for medium to dry soils. Prefers full sun to partial shade.

Conservation Habitat Mix C includes: Big bluestem, Prairie Cord grass, Switchgrass, Angelica, Canada tick trefoil, and Cup plant. Suitable for wet and seasonably flooded soils. Prefers full sun to partial shade.

Conservation Habitat Mix D includes: Big bluestem, Little bluestem, Sand dropseed, Black-eyed Susan, Hoary vervain, and Lance leaf coreopsis. Suitable for dry to sand blown areas. Prefers full sun to partial shade.

LANDSCAPE SEED MIXES

LANDSCAPE MIXES (Prairies Remembered & Settler's Clearing): Both of these mixes are beautiful reminders of the pre-settlement prairies of our area. Both Landscape Mixes offer a very long bloom season with a great variety of bloom colors and types. These mixes also offer great habitat for beneficial insects and songbirds and continue to offer interesting dried foliage on into winter. Both mixes feature 3 native grasses and 14 kinds of wildflowers at a full pound of wildflower seed per acre.

Prairies Remembered - (Landscape Mix A ): Suitable for light sandy soils and prairie loams, on seasonally dry through well drained sites. Mix includes: Big bluestem, Indian grass, Switch grass, Bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Blue vervain, Canadian milk vetch, Cup plant, New England aster, Ox-eye, Purple coneflower, Rattlesnake master, Red milkweed, Rosinweed, Sawtooth sunflower, Spiderwort, and Yellow coneflower.

Settler's Clearing - (Landscape Mix B ): Suitable for light sandy soils and prairie loams, thrives on seasonally dry through well drained sites. Mix includes: Big bluestem, Indian grass, Little bluestem, Bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, Lance leaf coreopsis, Lavender hyssop, Ox-eye, Purple coneflower, Purple prairie clover, Rattlesnake master, Rosinweed, Round-headed bush-clover, Smooth blue aster, Smooth penstemon, Stiff goldenrod, and Yellow coneflower.

Prairie Wildflower Charcteristics