Short Prairie Blend, Wildflower Seed

Short Prairie Blend Wildflower Seed

Short prairie flowers and grasses create layered native habitat
Twelve-to-thirty-six-inch growth preserves views along open landscapes
Moderately dry sites support the mix after establishment
Seed heads and stems shelter wildlife beyond flowering season

See product details

Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Blend

Days to maturity

Varies

Sun

Full Sun

About Short Prairie Blend, Wildflower Seed, Wildflower Seed

Planting a prairie recreates a piece of our natural heritage and can provide habitat for beneficial insects and wildlife. This mix of short prairie flowers can be planted alone or with our Shortgrass Mixture. It is best for moderate to drier sites, and the height ranges from 12 to 36 inches.

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

1/4"

Germination Type

M - Fall Sow Recommended

Row Spacing

Broadcast

Plant profile

Life Cycle

Mix

Plant Height

Varies

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

20,791

Color

Multicolor

Seed Type

Open Pollinated

Before Planting

Give Wildflower a site suited to the species mix, usually full sun with well-drained soil. Remove existing vegetation and perennial weeds, then create a firm, clean seedbed with minimal fertilizer because rich soil favors weeds and weak growth. Match the mix to the site’s moisture and climate, and plan a method for even seed distribution.

Planting

Broadcast wildflower seed in late fall for natural winter conditioning or in spring when local conditions suit the species mix. Mix small seed with a dry carrier for even distribution, then press it firmly onto the prepared surface without deeply burying it. Keep spring sowings evenly moist through establishment. Do not thin a mixed meadow planting; use the recommended seeding rate.

Watering

Keep soil evenly moist while the planting establishes. Once mature, water deeply only during prolonged drought, adjusting frequency to the species mix and allowing the surface to dry between irrigations.

Fertilizer

Fertilizer is generally unnecessary and may encourage weeds, excessive foliage, and weak stems. Apply nutrients only when a soil test identifies a significant deficiency.

Harvesting

Cut wildflowers at the bloom stage appropriate to each species, preferably during the cool morning. For seed collection, leave selected heads until dry and brown, then collect them before seeds naturally scatter.

Tips

Control weeds carefully during the first season, when wildflower seedlings are least competitive. Mow annual weeds before they produce seed, and leave selected flower heads standing for wildlife and natural reseeding.

AVG. Seeding Rate

7 oz./1,000 sq.ft.; 9–18 lb./acre

Pests & Diseases

Disease varies across wildflower mixtures, but damping-off, powdery mildew, rust, leaf spots, and crown rots become common in dense stands. Match species to site moisture, avoid excessive seeding rates, and remove localized outbreaks. Diagnose the affected species before treatment; one recommendation rarely fits the entire mix.

Monitor for aphids, Japanese beetles, caterpillars, and slugs, but tolerate minor feeding that supports wildlife. Handpick severe infestations and avoid broad-spectrum insecticides that harm pollinators and beneficial insects.