Mesic Short Prairie Native Seed Mix
Mesic Short Prairie Native Seed Mix
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Quick View - Seed Mix Specifications
Quick View - Seed Mix Specifications
Seeding Rate: 8.14 lb/acre (65.7 seeds/square foot)
| Common Name | Scientific Name | % of Mix | Seeds/ft2 | Total | |||||||||
|
Grasses Sideoats Grama |
Bouteloua curtipendula | 30.72% | 5.5 | 2.500 PLS lb | |||||||||
| Little Bluestem | Schizachyrium scoparium | 30.72% | 13.8 | 2.500 PLS lb | |||||||||
| Prairie Dropseed | Sporobolus heterolepis | 1.54% | 0.7 | 0.125 PLS lb | |||||||||
|
Sedges & Rushes Plains Oval Sedge |
Carex brevior | 2.69% | 2.3 | 0.219 PLS lb | |||||||||
| Bicknell's Sedge | Carex bicknellii | 0.96% | 0.5 | 0.078 PLS lb | |||||||||
|
Forbs Anise Hyssop |
Agastache foeniculum | 1.23% | 3.3 | 0.100 PLS lb | |||||||||
| Nodding Onion | Allium cernuum | 1.34% | 0.3 | 0.109 PLS lb | |||||||||
| Butterfly Milkweed | Asclepias tuberosa | 0.77% | 0.1 | 0.063 PLS lb | |||||||||
| Canada Milkvetch | Astragalus canadensis | 1.54% | 0.8 | 0.125 PLS lb | |||||||||
| White Wild Indigo | Baptisia alba | 0.77% | 0.0 | 0.063 PLS lb | |||||||||
| Partridge Pea | Chamaecrista fasciculata | 3.07% | 0.2 | 0.250 PLS lb | |||||||||
| White Prairie Clover | Dalea candida | 1.15% | 0.7 | 0.094 PLS lb | |||||||||
| Purple Prairie Clover | Dalea purpurea | 2.50% | 1.3 | 0.203 PLS lb | |||||||||
| Purple Coneflower | Echinacea purpurea | 3.07% | 0.6 | 0.250 PLS lb | |||||||||
| Rattlesnake Master | Eryngium yuccifolium | 1.34% | 0.3 | 0.109 PLS lb | |||||||||
| Cream Gentian | Gentiana flavida | 0.58% | 2.4 | 0.047 PLS lb | |||||||||
| Round-headed Bush Clover | Lespedeza capitata | 0.77% | 0.2 | 0.063 PLS lb | |||||||||
| Meadow Blazing Star | Liatris ligulistylis | 0.49% | 0.1 | 0.040 PLS lb | |||||||||
| Prairie Blazing Star | Liatris pycnostachya | 1.15% | 0.4 | 0.094 PLS lb | |||||||||
| Wild Bergamot | Monarda fistulosa | 1.15% | 2.4 | 0.094 PLS lb | |||||||||
| Wild Quinine | Parthenium integrifolium | 3.07% | 0.6 | 0.250 PLS lb | |||||||||
| Foxglove Beardtongue | Penstemon digitalis | 1.23% | 4.8 | 0.100 PLS lb | |||||||||
| Prairie Cinquefoil | Drymocallis arguta | 0.61% | 4.2 | 0.050 PLS lb | |||||||||
| Virginia Mountain Mint | Pycnanthemum virginianum | 0.19% | 1.3 | 0.016 PLS lb | |||||||||
| Black-eyed Susan | Rudbeckia hirta | 3.07% | 8.4 | 0.250 PLS lb | |||||||||
| Stiff Goldenrod | Solidago rigida | 1.54% | 1.9 | 0.125 PLS lb | |||||||||
| Smooth Blue Aster | Symphyotrichum laeve | 0.77% | 1.3 | 0.063 PLS lb | |||||||||
| Sky Blue Aster | Symphyotrichum oolentangiense | 0.38% | 0.9 | 0.031 PLS lb | |||||||||
| Ohio Spiderwort | Tradescantia ohiensis | 0.58% | 0.1 | 0.047 PLS lb | |||||||||
| Culver's Root | Veronicastrum virginicum | 0.25% | 5.9 | 0.020 PLS lb | |||||||||
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Zizia aurea | 0.77% | 0.3 | 0.063 PLS lb | |||||||||
Substitutions may be necessary based on availability at the time of order.
Pure Live Seed
Pure Live Seed
Seed is provided in Pure Live Seed (PLS) unless otherwise stated.
Pure Live Seed (PLS) refers to the percentage of a seed lot that consists of the desired species and is viable (capable of germination).
Here's why PLS is crucial for native seeds:
-
Accurate Planting:
- PLS helps determine the actual number of viable seeds in a given weight or volume of seed.
- This ensures you plant the correct amount of seed to achieve the desired density and success rate.
-
Cost-Effectiveness:
- By knowing the PLS, you can avoid overspending on seed that may not germinate.
- This is especially important for native seeds, which can be more expensive than some cultivated varieties.
-
Weed Control:
- PLS helps minimize the presence of weed seeds within the seed lot.
- This reduces competition for resources and ensures the successful establishment of the desired native plants.
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Ecological Restoration:
- Using high-quality native seeds with a high PLS is essential for successful ecological restoration projects.
- It helps to re-establish diverse and resilient plant communities that support local wildlife.
Mesic Short Prairie Native Seed Mix (Mesic Short Prairie Native Seed Mix) is a keystone Midwest native species highly prized by restoration ecologists, landscape architects, and home gardeners. Known for its strong ecological resilience, exceptional wildlife support, and a floristic high conservation value, this hardy perennial thrives in full sun to partial shade across dry to mesic soils. Whether you are creating a dedicated pollinator garden, stabilizing soil on slopes, or restoring remnant prairie and woodland acreage, Natural Communities supplies this species in dependable formats—including deep-cell live plugs, bare-root stock, individual seed packets, and bulk Pure Live Seed (PLS) by weight.
Comprehensive Ecological & Growth Specifications
| Regional Native Status | Native |
| Native Range (States) | AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV |
| Midwest & Regional County Distribution | IL: Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Will, Kendall, Boone, Winnebago, DeKalb, LaSalle, Grundy; WI: Kenosha, Racine, Walworth, Milwaukee, Waukesha, Dane, Rock, Jefferson; IN: Lake, Porter, LaPorte |
| USDA Hardiness Zones | Zone 3 - 8 |
| Soil Moisture Range | Dry to Mesic |
| Soil pH Range | 5.5 - 7.5 |
| Root Architecture & Depth | Deep Fibrous / Taproot System (12+ Depth) |
| Deer & Wildlife Resistance | High to Moderate |
| Drought Tolerance | Medium |
| Larval Host Status | Specialist Native Lepidoptera & Native Pollinators |
| Specialist Insects & Wildlife Support | Native Solitary Mining Bees (Andrena, Lasioglossum spp.), Bumblebees (Bombus spp. - Nectar & Pollen), Beneficial Flower Flies (Syrphidae), Native Songbirds (Winter Seed Forage) |
| Recommended Plug Spacing | 12 to 18 on-center |
| Seed Packet Coverage | Covers 100 to 250 sq. ft. |
| Seeds Per Pound | 100000.0 |
| Broadcast Seeding Rate (PLS) | 8.0 – 12.5 lbs/acre PLS |
| Drill Seeding Rate (PLS) | 5.0 – 8.5 lbs/acre PLS |
| Recommended Cover Crop | Oats (Spring @ 20–30 lbs/ac) or Winter Wheat (Fall @ 15–20 lbs/ac) |
Botanical Profile & Ecological Characteristics
Mesic Short Prairie Native Seed Mix plays a critical role in establishing healthy, diverse native plant communities throughout the Midwest. Adapted over thousands of years to regional climate patterns, seasonal temperature extremes, and variable moisture conditions, it develops a resilient root architecture (deep fibrous / taproot system (12"+ depth)) that builds soil organic matter, improves water infiltration, and resists environmental stress.
A diverse shorter statured native prairie grass and wildflower mix featuring a broad palette of colorful species and flowering time. Most of the species will grow to four feet or less, making this an ideal mix for areas where taller grasses are not desired. Once established, this wildflower community will display a variety of colors, booming from early spring to fall, creating a diverse habitat for birds, butterflies, moths and other pollinators. The large open spaces and shorter stature prairie is needed for the imperiled grassland birds and lets the flowers express their beauty more freely. This mix, when implemented correctly on larger parcels, provides that exact habitat.
This mix has a high flower content by seed count so you can attract those wonderful butterflies, bees, and pollinators!
We strongly recommend adding 5 lbs/acre of the native rye cover crop with this mix to help compete against weeds. We did not include it in the mix to allow the customer to customize; keep grasses as short as possible or add for better/easier establishment. Click here for the recommended rye mix, which can be purchased separately.
Use this as your base and add diversity in future years by adding species through seed or plugs.
- Apply for a wholesale account to receive your wholesale discount.
- Please Specify Any Mixing Instructions Upon Order
- Requires Cold Moist Stratification
- Full Sun To Part Sun
- Normal to Dry Soils
- Don't forget the cover crop.
*Provided as Pure Live Seed
*All mixes may vary in % composition and species composition based upon availability.
All seed sales are final and can not be returned because they are custom mixed at the time of purchase.
Faunal Associations & Specialist Wildlife Support
As a vital resource in native ecosystems, Mesic Short Prairie Native Seed Mix provides essential sustenance across multiple trophic levels:
- Larval Host & Pollinator Support: Specialist Native Lepidoptera & Native Pollinators.
- Specialist Floral Visitors: Native Solitary Mining Bees (Andrena, Lasioglossum spp.), Bumblebees (Bombus spp. - Nectar & Pollen), Beneficial Flower Flies (Syrphidae), Native Songbirds (Winter Seed Forage).
- Avian & Insect Forage: Flowers provide dense, accessible nectar and pollen during the peak growing season, followed by nutritious seed heads that feed native songbirds and overwintering wildlife.
Landscape Applications & Restoration Guidelines
Mesic Short Prairie Native Seed Mix is well-suited for home landscaping borders, rain gardens, naturalized meadows, and conservation acreage alike.
- Plug Spacing: Space live plugs approximately 12" to 18" on-center for optimal crown development and contiguous ground coverage.
- Broadcast Seeding Rate: 8.0 – 12.5 lbs/acre PLS (when included in diverse prairie seed mixes).
- Drill Seeding Rate: 5.0 – 8.5 lbs/acre PLS for agricultural or native seed drill installations.
- Regional Provenance: Sourced and propagated from regionally adapted Midwest ecotypes for maximum ecological fitness and cold hardiness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the ideal growing conditions for Mesic Short Prairie Native Seed Mix?
Mesic Short Prairie Native Seed Mix performs best in full sun to partial shade with dry to mesic conditions. It thrives in authentic regional soil types ranging from sandy loam to well-drained clay loams.
How do I germinate and establish Mesic Short Prairie Native Seed Mix from seed?
Seed of Mesic Short Prairie Native Seed Mix has a germination code of C(30). For best results, sow seed in late fall/winter for natural outdoor freeze-thaw stratification, or cold-moist stratify in refrigeration for 30 to 60 days before spring indoor propagation.
Is Mesic Short Prairie Native Seed Mix deer and herbivore resistant?
Yes. Native plants adapted to Midwestern habitats naturally produce protective secondary compounds and fibrous textures that make them highly resistant to deer, rabbits, and other grazing herbivores.
When should I expect Mesic Short Prairie Native Seed Mix to emerge and bloom?
Established plants break dormancy in spring as soil temperatures warm, developing vigorous foliage before blooming in their seasonal window to provide vital nectar when native pollinators need it most.
Shipping & Care
Shipping & Care
Seed ships all year and typically ships within a week of an order being placed.
We have attempted to put together some basic information regarding native seed installation, establishment, and maintenance. We hope you find it helpful. If you need further assistance on native seed establishment, please schedule a free consolation call here.
Consultation Services
Ecosystem Restoration Considerations
Native Seed Establishment Best Management Practices
Native Seed Stratification Best Management Practices
Solving a Site Problem? Get Expert Advice + Get Store Credit
Whether you're fighting severe erosion, replacing invasive species, designing a pollinator haven, or seeding large acreage, choosing the wrong species wastes time and money. Talk 1-on-1 with a restoration ecologist to map out the exact species, plug counts, or seed mixes for your soil and goals. Book a consultation and get all or a portion credited directly back to your order.