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Where To Plant Prairiegrasses and Wildflowers
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Native plants are being used in many applications for many different reasons. Their ability to adapt under harsh, and sometimes extreme, circumstances make them a popular choice for consumers. Most species offered by Stock Seed Farms prefer full-to-partial sun and well drained soils with ph levels between 5.5 and 8. A higher or lower PH will require soil amendments to bring ph levels to within tolerance.
Prairiegrasses are sun-loving plants, but some will tolerate partial shade. We have successfully used Buffalograss, Blue Grama, and Sideoats Grama to plant between Christmas trees, in fruit orchards and in grape vineyards. These grasses also make excellent windbreaks and can be planted separately or in combination with one another. Because prairiegrasses are very water efficient they are less competitive with trees than cool-season grasses. Virginia Wildrye and Canadian Wildrye are two taller , native cool-season grasses that tolerate shade quite nicely. Hard Fescue and Chewings Fescue are both shorter, bunch grasses that also thrive in shady areas. In heavily shaded areas it is best to use Stock's Shady Mix.
The majority of wildflowers bloom best in full sun to partial shade. Woodland type plants can flourish in shaded areas, but most need a certain amount of sunlight to flower. Even though plants are listed as tolerant of partial shade it must be understood that there is an inevitable relationship between the amount of sunlight and plant growth. That is, as sunlight decreases, plants will be shorter and produce smaller blooms. Good soil fertility and occasional watering during dry periods will help plants tolerate shady conditions. For shaded areas, see Stocks Seed Farm's Shadow Mixture.
Prairie plants are adapted to full sunlight and most soil types, although some plants will grow better results in some soils than in others (see individual product for more information). They usually require a minimum of six to eight hours of sunlight during their growth period. Regardless of location, plant into a seedbed free of weeds and old grass. We have had very little success planting into old grass sod even if already dead. Using a no-till drill to open sod and planting in the furrow will create better results in the latter situation.
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