9 photos of easy Prairie Garden

Interest in prairies grows, since many of us realize the beauty of native grasses and wildflowers. Charm comes from coneflowers, prairie phlox, false indigo and orchids and many more wildflowers typical for prairies. This is what prompts many to create prairie gardens. Not only people find prairie gardens attractive: birds, butterflies and other native wildlife is good company and extra treat we get from prairie garden.

With the time prairie gardens take less time and expense to maintain than lawns. Not mentioning less use of pesticides, fertilizers and our precious time for mowing.

Even if prairies are not native to all regions, you can create it most areas. Good part of it is that prairie plants tolerate wide range of soil types.  

Some suggestions if you decide to go on your own with creating prairie garden:

1.      If you decide to create a prairie garden you need to start from planning. You need a plan, even if you will put it aside later, you will still need it from time to time as a guide.

2.      Collect the wildflower seeds. From nurseries or by your own from natural sites.

3.      If you decide to collect seeds from natural sites, you need to observe some rules.

4.      Don’t take all the seeds, leave some for natural seeding – you are guest there, remember?

5.      Always ask for permission if you seek seeds from private property.  

6.      Always ask for permission at your friends garden.

7.      Don’t go for endangered species that are under protection.

8.      Store the seeds in paper bags – they will protect the seeds from getting moldy.

9.      Wildflower seeds require dry stratification – which is storing them in winter temperature (unheated shed, garage, refrigerator or freezer will be perfect).

Rusted steel deco in the water garden

Rusted steel trend spotted at the exhibitions doesn’t fit to one place in the garden only. Would you say that rust is not a nice finish to garden art? Look at the photos, this deco in the water garden for example.  

In my humble opinion there are few pros for rusted steel in the garden:

-       Your garden looks more mature, than it is in reality – it takes some time to cover metal with rust. Placing in the garden element that is fully covered with rust, suggests subconsciously that garden is also matured. That’s a phenomenon known in marketing – you can change the perceived value of an item if you place it accordingly. It can happen both ways, you may add value or diminish it.

-       No need for cleaning – the more weathered, more rusted, the better it looks.

-       Goes well with any style of garden.

-       Stands out and adds smashing style as a new garden decoration trend.

Any cons YOU have in mind?

If you like it, there are ways to cover your deco with rust patina really fast. I mean fast. Like in one hour if you believe it or not. You can buy ready liquids that will do it for you, or you need ingredients available in the store and google the recipe - I found very useful instruction and have included in the last post about rusted steel raised beds.