Black-Eyed Susan ( Rudbeckia hirta):

This all time favorite puts on an extravagant floral display in midsummer. Easy to grow from seed or transplants, this fast-growing biennial is an essential element of any prairie seed mix. It blooms in the second year of a prairie seeding. Self-sows readily on open soil of any type, from clay to dry sand to rich loam with average moisture. Grows one to three feet tall in full sun or light shade. A green thumb is not a requirement for success with this plant.  Spent flower heads can be removed to encourage more flowers later in the season.

Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa):

The king of the Milkweeds. One of the most striking of all the prairie wildflowers, the brilliant orange flowers appear during the heat of summer from late June through August. true to its name, Butterflyweed attracts legions of the gossamer-winged beauties. The Monarch butterfly often lays its eggs on the plant, and the larvae use it as an important food source. Look for the beautiful Monarch chrysalis on the Butterflyweed. This rugged individual thrives in dry sandy soils and well-drained loam, in full sun. Growing two to three feet tall, Butterflyweed looks great in short prairies, perennial gardens, and just about any sunny spot. It also makes a fantastic cut flower.

Compass Plant (Silpium laciniatum):

A classic prairie plant. The fleshy, deeply divided leaves often orient themselves in a north-south direction, hence the name Compass plant. This slow growing but extremely long-lived plant develops a tremendous taproot. At maturity it sends up a massive flower stalk that can reach up to ten feet. Birds will seek out the highly nutritious seed in fall. Grows on moderately dry to slightly moist soils, and does famously on clay.  Will tolerate drought and poor soils.

Cup Plant ( Silphium perfoliatum):

This is the single best species that you can plant for birds. It provides food, water, and cover, three of the main requirements for good avian habitat. The large leaves clasp the square stems to form little cups, hence its name. These cups catch and store rainwater, often for many days. Plant in groups of three to five to create a five to ten foot tall bird haven. Occurs naturally in moist environments, but does perfectly well when planted in fertile medium soils, in full sun to partial shade. Give it plenty of room to spread out, as it does self-sow readily on open soil. Grows up to 10 feet in height with a 12”-36” spread.

Gray Headed Coneflower (Ratibida pinnata):

Long yellow ray flowers droop downward in this coneflower and the central disk flowers are on a long "cone." Leaves are deeply cut into 3 to 7 narrow, toothed segments. A hairy stem grows 3 to 5 feet tall. Dry meadows and roadsides are natural habitats for Gray Headed Coneflower.  Grows in full to medium sun with average soil.  Also grows well in clay soil.  Tends to self-seed and spread but looks great in masses.  Good plant for erosion control.

Golden Alexanders ( Zizia aurea):

The golden yellow blooms of this plant are among the earliest flowers of the mesic medium-soil prairie. Growing no more than two feet tall, this lovely plant provides a splash of spring color while other flowers are just getting going. The heavily-textured, rich green foliage is exceptional. Prefers full sun, but will thrive with at least a half day of direct light. The Golden Alexanders are members of the Parsley family and serve as important food plants for the larvae of black swallowtails and other butterflies.

Prairie Coreopsis (Coreopsis palmate)

This species if listed as “Threatened” in the state of Michigan.  This native perennial plant is 1-3’ tall and unbranched.  The central stem is hairless, except for small tufts of hair at the base of the leaves.  The blooming period occurs during early summer and lasts about 3 weeks.  The root system is rhizomatous.  Prefers full sun and dry conditions.  Will grow readily in loam, sand, gravel and clay and is an easy plant to grow.  This plant will grow in poor dry soil as long as drainage is good.  Tolerates heat, humidity and drought.

Prairie Dock (Silphium terebinthinaceum)

With leaves like small elephant ears and flowers literally as high as an elephant’s eye, Prairie Dock is a truly unique plant.  Masses of yellow sunflower-like blooms appear on giant stalks in late summer for a month or longer.  Very long-lived, individual plants are known to flourish for decades.  Although clay is its favorite meal, it also thrives in rich loam and sand.  Does best in a slightly damp soil, in full sun.  Birds love the seeds.  Grows from 3-10 feet tall.  The foliage grows 24”-36” tall.  The large leaves provide excellent bold texture in perennial borders and native gardens.

Rosin Weed (Silphium integrifolium):

Shortest of the magnificent Silphium genus, Rosinweed displays its bright yellow flowers on two to six foot tall stems in late summer. Grows easily from seed, and is at home on a wide variety of soils, from moderately dry to moist. Excellent for tough clay soils. Birds love the seeds.  Prefers full sun.  The green leaves are textured and feel like sandpaper.  Birds enjoy the seeds.

Round Leaf Ragwort (Senecio obovatus):

Another name for this plant is Squaw-weed.  This is a flat topped flower cluster, fine cut upper leaves, and rounded leaves at its base.  Flowers from early April through June.  Grows 4” tall with a spread of 8”-16”. Grows well in dry shade or partial shade.  It prefers rich soil and average moisture.  Makes an excellent ground cover or shady border.

Sand Tickseed ( Coreopsis lanceolata):

Also known as Lanceleaf Coreopsis.  One of the very best plants for dry, sandy soils. This plant thrives in poor, sandy or rock soils with good drainage and full sun.  The brilliant yellow flowers bloom week after week in June through August. Growing no taller than two feet, it squeezes out weeds and holds the soil. Creates a great-looking natural landscape all year round.  Prompt deadheading of spent flowers encourages additional bloom and prevents unwanted seedlings. 

Showy Coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida):

Yellow petals surround a brown-purple central seed head.  Plants bloom from July-September and are good cut flowers.  Plants form large clumps after several years, especially in rich loose soil, but are not invasive.  Grows in full sun or light shade in average to moist soils.  Reaches 18”-30” in height with a 24” spread.  A good nectar source for butterflies.

Showy Goldenrod (Solidago speciosa):

The splendidly sculpted flower clusters of Showy Goldenrod make for a spectacular show in early autumn. Its foot-long wands of blazing yellow add a prominence to prairie gardens and meadows. Grows on well-drained loams to very dry, sandy and thin rocky soils. Attains a height of 3’-4’ with an 18”-24” spread.  This plant is very adaptable but prefers full sun.  Good source of nectar for butterflies.

Stiff Goldenrod (Solidago rigida):

A favorite nectar source for Monarch butterflies, this widely adaptable golden beauty excels in any well-drained soil. It will grow beautifully in even the most inhospitable clay, and dry, sandy and rocky soils. The brilliant yellow flowers appear in August and September. The three to five foot tall stems make excellent perches for birds. The seeds are an important late season food for song-birds, and the dried heads are lovely in dried arrangements. Prefers full sun, but will also thrive with at least a half day of direct light.  Goldenrod does not cause hayfever.  Ragweed, which blooms at the same time, is the true culprit.

Sweet Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia subtomentosa):

One of the showiest of all the Rudbeckias, this is also among the most rugged. While many other plants fold in the heat of the summer, Sweet Black Eyed Susan effortlessly maintains its luxuriant deep green foliage. In August and September, it produces a plethora of butter-yellow blooms with shimmering reddish brown centers. Growing four to six feet tall, it adapts well to any reasonably rich soil, including loam, clay, and rich sand. A strong perennial, this outstanding plant looks great in both the perennial garden and the prairie.

Tall Coreopsis (Coreopsis tripteris):

This plant will give you a spectacular show from midsummer to early fall.  The flowers are 1”-2” wide with 6 to 10 petals like ray flowers with a brown center.  Prefers full sun in good to average soil that is not too dry.  Found in moist to mesic prairies often in deep soils and open woods.   Will grow from 2’ to 8’ in height with a spread of 2’-3’.  A good food source for birds.

Western Sunflower (Helianthus occidentalis):

The shortest of the native sunflowers, this plant is perfect for short prairie meadows on dry soils. The elegant star-like flowers are held aloft on leafless stalks no more than three feet tall. Blooms for an extended period in late summer and early fall, and birds love the seeds. Does best on poor, dry, sandy soils, but will also grow on loamy soils. Not recommended for clay.  Prefers full sun.  It is an excellent seed source for finches and is very effective for erosion control.

Wild Senna  (Cassia herbacarpa)

This erect, shrubby perennial is the larval food source for two sulphur butterflies.  Clusters of brownish yellow pealike flowers top unbranced stems in summer.  Glowers give way to pendant, pealike seed pods.  Grows in full sun in average to moist soils.  Will grow 36”-60” in height. 

Woodland Sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus)

This plant prefers full to partial sun and grow best in sand or loam.  The woodland garden typically lacks summer color.  Woodland Sunflower cures that problem.  The large, yellow flowers brighten up shady gardens from late summer into early autumn.  It grows 3-5’ in any well-drained soil.  As with all sunflowers, birds go nuts on the seeds.