YOUR OWN Perfect Prairie

Learn how to cultivate an oasis of grassland flora in your backyard

- KELSEY ROSETH

THINK LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE - but in your yard. Those who've read pioneer Laura Ingalls Wilder's magnum opus can envision the breathtaking beauty of the prairie through her simple yet detailed prose.

Little Bluestem Attracts birds, even game birds, and blooms in late summer into early fall.

In the chapter "Prairie Days," Wilder writes, "There was only the enormous, empty prairie, with grasses blowing in waves of light and shadow across it, and the great blue sky above it, and the birds flying up from it and singing with joy because the sun was rising." What a heartwarming homage.

Butterfly Weed Monarch butterflies' host plant and a food source for butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. Blooms early to late summer.

Prairie plant proponents know that they provide picturesque additions to backyard gardens. Better yet, they produce plenty of benefits for birds, bees, pollinators and other local wildlife, and they do so from early spring through late fall.

Aromatic Aster Attracts pollinators and birds. Blooms late summer to fall and can be aggressive and overwhelm small spaces.

Understanding the Prairie Ecosystem

Prairies are substantial tracts of flat grassland that dominate the Midwest. According to the National Park Service, nearly a third of North America was once covered in grassland.

When people hear "prairie," many may imagine farm fields growing golden wheat. Farming aside, this habitat's plants evolved to tolerate cold winters, warm summers and environmental disturbances. They're well-adapted to maximize photosynthesis and minimize water loss.