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.

2014 Downtown Farmers' Market

WE ARE BACK!  

You will find Blooming Prairie's team in a combination of market stalls this year. 

5/10 - stall 404(corner of 4th and Court)

5/17 - stall 204(corner of 2nd and Court)

5/31 - stall 204

6/7 - stall 204

6/14 - stall 404

6/21 - stall 204

6/28 - stall 404

New woodland species are available as well as our pollinator's(bird and butterfly) favorites! Also, stop by and grab some compost for your native and/or vegetable garden!

2014 Market Offerings

4" deep potted plants......$4.50

3" potted plants......$4.50

4" potted plants......$6.50

Gallon potted plants......$9.00

Specials on Bareroot Plants

Garden Compost

 -BPN is a Turf Gold Wholesaler, find out more regarding compost here!

 Winter 2013/2014 was COLD, and since the weather has been a little chilly this spring, many of our summer and fall bloomers haven't even begun to poke out of the ground! While there have been stories of loss, patience is key. 

WARMER WEATHER AROUND THE CORNER?!?! Let's hope so...