best time to plant wildflower seeds in illinois Native Short Grass and Wildflower Seed Mix

best time to plant wildflower seeds in illinois Native Short Grass and Wildflower Seed MixWhen we describe one of our native seed mixes as short, we typically mean 3 to 5 feet tall. Our Native Short Grass and Wildflower Seed Mix was designed as a native grass planting with native wildflowers mixed in that have bloom times ranging from spring through fall once established. Attract Monarch Butterflies with Common and Butterfly Milkweed. Watch birds eat Ox Eye Sunflower and Yellow Grey headed Coneflower seeds. Wild Bergamot is a bee magnet

When we describe one of our native seed mixes as short, we typically mean 3 to 5 feet tall. Our Native Short Grass and Wildflower Seed Mix was designed as a native grass planting with native wildflowers mixed in that have bloom times ranging from spring through fall once established.

Attract Monarch Butterflies with Common and Butterfly Milkweed. Watch birds eat Ox Eye Sunflower and Yellow/Grey-headed Coneflower seeds. Wild Bergamot is a bee magnet and Little Bluestem is the larval host plant for many butterflies and moths.

Some things to remember:

This mix of native grasses and wildflowers will take 2 to 3 growing seasons to fully establish. We do include annual wildflowers for color and foraging the first growing season.

This mix performs best in well-drained soils and will need at least 4 to 6 hours of sunlight a day.

Contains the following species:

Grasses:

Elymus virginicus - Virginia Wild Rye

Schizachyrium scoparium - Little Bluestem

Bouteloua curtipendula - Side-oats Grama

Wildflowers:

Chamaecrista fasciculata - Partridge Pea 

Echinacea purpurea - Purple Coneflower

Heliopsis helianthoides - Ox Eye Sunflower

Coreopsis lanceolata - Lanceleaf Coreopsis

Gaillardia aristata - Blanket Flower

Dalea purpurea - Purple Prairie Clover

Desmanthus illnoensis - Illinois Bundleflower

Rudbeckia hirta - Black-eyed Susan

Eryngium yuccifolium - Rattlesnake Master

Dalea candida - White Prairie Clover

Astragalus canadensis - Canadian Milk Vetch

Ratibida pinnata - Yellow / Grey-headed Coneflower

Asclepias syriaca - Common Milkweed

Monarda fistulosa - Wild Bergamot

Penstemon digitalis - Foxglove Beardtongue

Lespedeza capitata - Roundheaded Bushclover

Coreopsis tinctoria - Plains Coreopsis

Solidago rigida - Stiff Goldenrod

Aster laevis - Smooth Aster

Asclepias tuberosa - Butterfly Milkweed

Seed Info

Seed Packet covers 250 square feet (a 10 x 25 area) and will take up to three growing seasons to fully establish. Each packet will cover approximately 250 square feet.

PLS Lbs. Per Acre Broadcast = 15

PLS=Pure Live Seed

Pure Live Seed is a measure of viable seed stated as a percentage. It is the product of total germination times purity.

Example: 96% Germination x 93% Purity = 89% PLS

All of our native warm season grasses and seed mixes are sold PLS.

Broadcast seeding is the process of sowing seed by hand. The seeds are sprinkled into the soil and can be lightly raked to ensure germination.

This mix of native grasses and wildflowers typically grows to a height of 3 to 5 feet. Please note that each site is unique and that several factors can affect overall height. These factors include sunlight, hydrology and overall soil health.

Product Details

Flower Color: Green, Yellow, Purple, Pink, Orange, White

Height: 3 to 5 Feet

Light Requirements: At Least 4 to 6 Hours of Sunlight a Day

Soil Hydrology: Dry to Mesic Soils

Bloom Time: Spring through Fall

Plant Type: Annuals/Perennials

Attracts: Birds, Bees, Butterflies and Humans

Suggested USDA Planting Zones: 3-7

Product Code: NSGM03

Color Boosters

The native perennials in your mix do require some patience to establish, but for instant gratification consider adding any of these quick establishing annuals. They're perfect pollinator plants, too!

Indian Blanket

Partridge Pea 

Quick Growing Wildflowers Native Seed Mix 

Cover Crops and Seed Carriers

Do you need a cover crop?

Know where you sow! Add some Rice Hulls to your order!