Seed Mixes
Dry Bottom Detention Basin
Soil Type : Mesic-Wet (Bottom of Basin or Swale)
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Designed for : Sunny areas that flood periodically for short periods of time, ranging from 24-48 hours, but remain mesic to dry for most of the growing season. It is composed of species that tolerate fluctuating water levels and poor water quality, and is ideal for planting in the bottom of dry-bottom detention basins, within the "Bounce Zone" on detention basin slopes, dry-bottom bioswales, large rain gardens, and within open floodplains. This is a medium height prairie with an average height of 3.4' by seed count, and about 23% of seeds typically averaging 5.0' high or more. While this mix does provide flowering species from April-October, it is designed to be a bit graminoid heavy (particularly long-term) with nearly 66% of seeds being grass and sedge species. The mix is designed in this fashion to ensure excellent erosion control when used in stormwater applications.
Download Dry Bottom Detention Seed Mix PDF
Dry-Mesic Prairie
Soil Type : Dry Mesic
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Designed for : Sunny areas that range from dry to mostly dry throughout the year. The species in this mix are adapted to dry soil conditions, often with a stony character. Over 63% of this mix is composed of a diverse array of wildflowers, blooming from April through October, attracting a plethora of native butterflies and birds. The result is a medium height prairie with an average height of 3.1' by seed count and approximately 10% of seeds averaging 5' high or more at maturity.
Download Dry-Mesic Prairie Seed Mix PDF
Dune, Sand, and Hill Prairie
Soil Type : Dry
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Designed for : Sunny areas with sandy or rocky soils that remain dry for most of the growing season. This mix contains species that are typically found as the foundation plant components of Sand Prairies, Hill Prairies, and the Dune ecosystems of Lake Michigan. It may also be well suited for very open Black Oak Savannas within the Dunes of Lake Michigan; however, more dense Black Oak Savannas may require our Savanna Mix. Since this is a basic mix composed of species typically associated within these specialized ecosystems, some customization may be required to meet the needs of your site. Low profile, with an average height of 2.8' by seed count, this mix is forb-heavy, with more than 65% of the seeds being wildflowers.
Download Dune, Sand, and Hill Prairie Seed Mix PDF
Economy Prairie
Soil Type : Dry-Mesic
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Designed for : Our most economical way to establish an ecologically functional prairie while maintaining the highest aesthetic value. This mix includes prairie species that quickly establish for a more immediate naturalized setting in sunny areas that remain mesic to dry for the most of the growing season. Over 55% of this mix is composed of wildflowers that provide an array of blooms from April through October. When installed and managed correctly, this mix typically begins flowering in its second growing season, starting with the yellow blooms of annual Partridge Pea and biennial Black-Eyed Susan. An additional colorful matrix of perennial species appears in the succeeding 3 to 5 years. This is a medium-short height prairie with an average height of 2.9' by seed count.
Download Economy Prairie Seed Mix PDF
Emergent
Soil Type : 2-6" Water Depth
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Designed for : Shallow water, 2" to 6" deep. It is ideal for shallow water wetlands and within the emergent zone of a pond or stream shoreline. Nearly 50% of the seeds in this mix are sedges, rushes, and grasses; the balance is a matrix of wildflowers, providing an array of blooms from May through October. This emergent mix will result in a medium-tall profile with an average height of 3.3' by seed count. To achieve appropriate seed-to-soil contact for germination this mix must be planted prior to establishing normal water levels, or the water body must be drained in order to expose the soil within the targeted seeding area prior to seeding. We recommend installing appropriate temporary erosion control blanket over areas seeded with this mix.
Download Emergent Seed Mix PDF
Low Profile Prairie
Soil Type : Dry-Mesic
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Designed for : Sunny areas that are mesic to dry for most of the growing season. Composed of a diverse collection of shorter-profile prairie grass and wildflower species, this mix is ideal for areas where taller vegetation is not appropriate. Averaging 2.6' in height by seed count, with over 56% wildflowers, this mix provides an array of blooms from April through October. When installed and managed correctly, this mix typically begins flowering in the second growing season, starting with the yellow blooms of annual Partridge Pea and biennial Black-Eyed Susan. An additional colorful matrix of perennial species appears in the succeeding 3 to 5 years.
Download Low Profile Prairie Seed Mix PDF
Mesic Prairie
Soil Type : Mesic
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Designed for : Sunny areas that range from moist to moderately dry throughout the year. Certain species in this mix can sustain moderately saturated soils in wetter years, while others are adapted for dry periods. Over 57% of this mix is composed of a diverse array of wildflowers, blooming from April through October, attracting a plethora of native butterflies and birds. This produces a medium height prairie with an average height of 3.0' by seed count and just under 10% of seeds averaging 5' high or more at maturity.
Download Mesic Prairie Seed Mix PDF
Savanna
Soil Type : Dry-Mesic
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Designed for : Areas with scattered native trees (typically less than 10 mature canopy trees/acre) that provide light or partial shade, and have soils that remain mesic to dry for most of the growing season. This mix will help establish a historic native ground cover when re-creating the picturesque open tree native savannas that were so heavily sought after by the pioneers as they made their way west. A short to medium height seed mix with an average height of 3.2’ by seed count, approximately 65% is composed of a diverse array of wildflowers, blooming from April through October.
Download Savanna Seed Mix PDF
Tallgrass Prairie
Soil Type : Dry-Mesic
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Designed for : A path to restoring a highly diverse prairie ecosystem with a classic prairie aesthetic ... these are the beautiful tallgrass prairies that the pioneers wrote about as they settled the "wild west." This mix includes taller profile prairie species suited for sunny areas that are mesic to dry for most of the growing season. Over 55% of this mix is composed of a diverse array of wildflowers blooming from April through October. When installed and managed correctly, this mix begins flowering in its second growing season, starting with the yellow blooms of annual Partridge Pea and biennial Black-Eyed Susan. An additional colorful matrix of perennial species appears in the succeeding 3 to 5 years. This is a tall prairie with almost 20% of seeds typically averaging 5.0' high or more at maturity ... now that's a prairie!
Download Tallgrass Prairie Seed Mix PDF
Transitional Buffer
Soil Type : Dry-Mesic
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Designed as : A short-grass native planting that can be installed between low, flat areas (turf grass areas, sidewalks, etc.) and the taller, more diverse prairie areas. This transitional short-graminoid mix has multiple applications. First, it provides space so that taller plants will not flop onto the lawn or pavement, and a visual screen to the lower, less attractive portion of the prairie. Second, it is easy to maintain with standard broad leaf herbicides, which gives a neat, "cared for" appearance that establishes a defined edge to the prairie. Third, it establishes an all-graminoid buffer between lawn and prairie that will protect the broadleaf wildflowers in the prairie from annual "weed-and-feed" applications (which contain a broadleaf herbicide) to the lawn. The grasses in this mix are warm-season grasses, which means they will go dormant (turn golden brown) in the fall. Seeding of this mix should only occur in spring (typically before June 15th).
Download Transitional Buffer (Dry-Mesic) Seed Mix PDF
Transitional Buffer
Soil Type : Wet-Mesic
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Designed as : A short-grass native planting that can be installed between low, flat areas (turf grass areas, sidewalks, etc.) and the taller, more diverse prairie areas. This transitional short-graminoid mix has multiple applications. First, it provides space so that taller plants will not flop onto the lawn or pavement, and a visual screen to the lower, less attractive portion of the prairie. Second, it is easy to maintain with standard broad leaf herbicides, which gives a neat, "cared for" appearance that establishes a defined edge to the prairie. Third, it establishes an all-graminoid buffer between lawn and prairie that will protect the broadleaf wildflowers in the prairie from annual "weed-and-feed" applications (which contain a broadleaf herbicide) to the lawn. Because the dominant species in this mix is Brown Fox Sedge, fall (after October 1st and before December 31st) is the best time to sow, ensuring proper moist/cold stratification.
Download Transitional Buffer (Wet-Mesic) Seed Mix PDF
Wet-Mesic Prairie
Soil Type : Wet-Mesic
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Designed for : Sunny areas that are moist to wet; however, they may dry out completely in the height of summer, or more extensively in particularly dry years. Most of the species in this mix can take consistently saturated soils, while about 1/3 of the species are adapted to facultative upland conditions. Over 43% of this mix is a diverse composition of wildflowers that bloom from April through October resulting in a medium to tall prairie with an average height of 3.0' by seed count, and less than 10% of species typically averaging 5.0' high or more at maturity.
Download Wet-Mesic Prairie Seed Mix PDF
Wet Prairie
Soil Type : Wet
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Designed for : Sunny areas that are wet, with saturated soil and some standing water. These areas may dry out completely in the height of summer or more extensively in particularly dry years. Most of the species in this mix flourish in consistently saturated soils, while about 1/4 of the species are adapted to facultative upland conditions. Over 40% of this mix is a diverse composition of wildflowers that bloom from April through October, resulting in a medium to tall prairie with an average height of 3.1' by seed count, and approximately 15% of species typically averaging 5.0' high or more at maturity.
Download Wet Prairie Seed Mix PDF
Wetland
Soil Type : Saturated
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Designed for : Sunny to lightly shaded areas with consistently saturated soil that does not dry out, or with shallow standing water (up to 2" of consistent water depth). In addition to the traditional wetland application, this mix is also ideal for use directly adjacent to the waterline of pond and stream shorelines, where the soil remains saturated and the water level consistently fluctuates 1-2". Over 50% of the seeds in this mix are sedges, rushes, and grasses, providing a variety of foliage texture and color in addition to the wildflowers, which bloom from May through October. The wetland mix results in a short to medium profile with an average height of 3.4' by seed count at maturity.
Download Wetland Seed Mix PDF
Woodland
Soil Type : Mesic
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Designed for : Areas with mesic soils and moderate to dense native tree populations (10 or more mature canopy trees per acre); the canopy is mostly closed, with a light to moderate understory (small tree/shrub layer), resulting in part to full shade. This mix establishes a diverse herbaceous groundcover, providing habitat and a fuel source for conducting regular prescribed fire. Approximately 65% of this mix is composed of a diverse array of medium height wildflowers (average of 3.5’ by seed count) blooming from April through October.
Download Woodland Seed Mix PDF