Summer Blooms and Bugs of Iowa Prairie

The prairie is in full bloom! Take a look at all of the summer pollinators at Blooming Prairie. 

Asclepias syriaca, Common Milkweed in front of seed production rows of Lobelia siphilitica, Great Blue Lobelia and Pycnanthemum virginianum, Mountain Mint both of which are not yet blooming. 

Milkweed flowers have a very sweet and attractive floral scent! 

Common Milkweed almost in bloom.

Swallowtail butterfly on catmint.

Liatris plants getting ready to bloom later this summer.

Spot the coneflower species along with the coreopsis.

BEAUTIFUL BUG.

Butterfly Weed next to Coneflower

Coreopsis palmata, Prairie Coreopsis

Echinacea pallida, Pale Purple Coneflower

Echinacea pallida, Pale Purple Coneflower

Echinacea angustifolia, Narrow-leaved Coneflower

Monarch larvae are here!

Danaus plexippus, Monarch Butterfly, larvae alert! Crawling about the Asclepias incarnata, Swamp Milkweed and Asclepias tuberosa, Butterfly Milkweed was this little guy!

                    

Remember to plant milkweed if you want the Monarchs around because the larva feed on its leaves. If you are looking for adult butterfly food, check out some Aster, Eupatorium, Liatris and Solidago species! Blooming Prairie Nursery has plenty, so contact us at bloomingprairienursery@gmail.com or stop by our market stall at the Des Moines Farmers' Market!

Meet a PRAIRIE PLANT: Iris virginica var. shrevei(Southern Blue Flag Iris)

MEET A PRAIRIE PLANT:

Southern Blue Flag Iris blooms various light purple/blues throughout the late spring and early summer. It can found in wet meadows or in moist savanna settings and is fairly drought tolerant. It can also tolerate moderate flooding which makes it a great plant for low garden areas like rain gardens. Iris virginica var. shrevei also can be installed front of eavestrough downspouts as natural splash blocks!

THEY LOOK GREAT ANYWHERE IN THE GARDEN. 

Meet a PRAIRIE PLANT: Phlox maculata(Wild Sweet William)

MEET A PRAIRIE PLANT:

Phlox maculata, also called Wild Sweet William or Meadow Phlox, is a late spring and early-mid summer bloomer. Standing around 3 feet tall, its deep pink blooms provide a great food source for bees, birds(ESPECIALLY HUMMINGBIRDS) and butterflies.

Phlox maculata will tolerate full to partially shaded conditions. It's most often found east of the Mississippi River along riverbanks and in moist meadows. This phlox will not tolerate dry, sandy soil as its roots will burn up.

Also, as it is susceptible to powdery mildew and root rot if watered too much, overhead watering isn't recommended. A generous amount of mulch(grass clippings or leaves) will keep the roots moist but cool during the roasting heat of prairie summers.

                                 

Meet Us at the Market

The weather is really cooperating for spring garden planting. The rains have been consistent but not too heavy, and the temperatures are heating up! Ready for more natives for in and around your garden?!? 

Come and see us at the Des Moines Farmers' Market on Saturday! We'll be in stall 204 with some of our favorite native wildflowers and other roots for you to put down! 

Meet a PRAIRIE PLANT: Arisaema triphyllum (Jack-in-the-Pulpit)

MEET A PRAIRIE PLANT:

Arisaema triphyllum, the beloved Jack-in-the-Pulpit is easy to grow in woodland or savanna conditions, but will do especially well in locations with seasonal wetness and shade. Unlike many natives, these plants are deer resistant!

Arisaema triphyllum's lifecycle has a lot of curious character. The Jack and Pulpit emerge in the spring. Later during late summer and fall months, its small seeds turn red after ripening while the three leaves remain green. 

Plant.Grow.Fly. with Blank Park Zoo!

GREAT NEWS, FOLKS!

Blank Park Zoo of Des Moines, Iowa started a conservation initiative to protect the pollinators of our Midwest region! Are you interested in butterflies, birds and other flying things? Maybe you wish to attract more to your yard or find a place where you can go a see some of the amazing pollinators of our area?! Blank Park Zoo is teaming up with local native growers, homeowners and sponsors to bring more life into our backyards!

Visit Blank Park Zoo's Plant.Grow.Fly. website for more details on starting, registering and sharing your very own pollinator garden.