Prairie Double Feature: Prairie Garden Design Principles + A North American Prairie Overview

Prairie Garden Design Principles | The interest in using native wildflowers, grasses and low-growing shrubs of the North American Prairie in gardens has been building for the past fifty years. What were once considered to be “weeds” are now recognized as essential members of a healthy landscape that requires little or no pesticides, fertilizers, irrigation, and when done correctly, reduced weeding. Of equal or greater benefit is the sustenance these adaptable plants provide to pollinators, birds, and a host of other wildlife and garden visitors that can delight us as much as the plants themselves. 

Neil Diboll will explain the ecological principles of prairie garden design, including the importance of understanding each plant’s root system, foliage structure, bloom time, and interactions with neighboring plants to create sustainable, long-lived, low maintenance ecologically sound prairie gardens. The best flowers and grasses for urban and suburban gardens are presented for a variety of different soil conditions. Dig deep into the fascinating world of prairie plants and how they can add beauty and value to your gardens!

A North American Prairie Overview | Diboll will also discuss the evolution of the North American Prairie as a model for sustainable, life-supporting landscapes from the mid-1930s to the present. The wonderful native flowers and grasses can be applied to creating lower-maintenance landscapes that require few if any chemicals and toxins. These future “landscapes of necessity” can be established in our cities and suburbs as part of “Joint Ventures with Nature” in the preservation and expansion of biodiversity in our own living spaces. Registration required (below).

Presented by the Eau Claire Garden Club.

You may also be interested in Prairie Flowers for Pollinator Gardens at 10am on March 2.

About the Presenter

Neil Diboll received his degree in Environmental Sciences from UW–Green Bay in 1978. He has since worked for the U.S. Park Service in Virginia, the U.S. Forest Service in Colorado, and the University of Wisconsin. In 1982, Neil began his involvement with Prairie Nursery, producing native plants and seeds and designing native landscapes. Neil’s work includes designs for residential, commercial, and public spaces throughout the Midwest and Northeast United States. The essence of Neil’s philosophy is that we, as stewards of the planet, must work to preserve and increase the diversity of native plants and animals, with which we share our world. The protection of our natural heritage and our soil and water resources is essential to maintaining a high quality of life for today, and for the children of future generations to come.