A Prairie Planting Idea with Helenium, Rudbeckia and Grasses

Perennial Combinations, Plant Combinations, Flowerbeds Ideas, Summer Borders, Fall Borders

Garden Ideas, Border ideas, Perennial Planting, Perennial combination, Summer Borders, Fall Borders, Liatris spicata, Gayfeather, Stipa, Rubeckia, hemerocallis, daylilies, prairie planting

The charm and appeal of this prairie planting comes from the glowing beauty of its flowers and from the grace of its ornamental grasses. Planted in masses and drifts of color, rudbeckia, crocosmia, helenium, echinacea, eryngium create drama and impact. Blooming in succession over a long season, they are interplanted with stipa and calamagrostis for a naturalistic meadow effect. These grasses will provide a great show in fall after the flowers are long gone.

Fairly easy to recreate, this planting includes plants that are easy to grow and require low care. Most are deer, rabbit and drought tolerant.

A prairie garden that is attractive to humans but also to birds, butterflies, and other native wildlife too.

Garden Information

Hardiness	7 - 8
Heat Zones	7 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun
Season of Interest	Summer (Mid, Late), Fall
Maintenance	Low, Average
Water Needs	Low, Average
Soil Type	Chalk, Loam
Soil pH	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics	Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance	Drought
Attracts	Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Landscaping Ideas	Beds And Borders
Garden Styles	Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

Plants In This Garden

Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm' (Black-Eyed Susan)

Proven to be a workhorse in the garden, award-winning Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii ‘Goldsturm’ is a highly popular choice. This perennial plant is long-lived and reliably produces masses of rich golden yellow, 3-4 in. flowers (7-10 cm) from midsummer through early fall, no matter what the weather is like.

Hardiness	3 - 9
Plant type	Perennials
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Mid, Late), Fall
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Soil Type	Chalk, Clay, Loam
Soil Ph	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics	Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy

Liatris spicata (Blazing Star)

Valued for its showy fluffy vertical flower spikes contrasting with a lush, finely textured, grassy foliage, Gayfeather or Blazing Star (Liatris spicata) is a perennial of great ornamental value. Interestingly flowering in succession from top to bottom over 4 weeks and more, its button-shaped, purple, rosy red or white flowers resemble blazing stars

Hardiness	3 - 9
Plant type	Perennials
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Summer (Mid, Late), Fall
Height	2' - 4' (60cm - 120cm)
Spread	9" - 2' (23cm - 60cm)
Soil Type	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil Ph	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics	Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy

Origanum 'Rosenkuppel' (Ornamental Oregano)

Valued for its showy clusters of small, violet-red flowers and its fabulous foliage display, purple-flushed with dark plum veins, Origanum ‘Rosenkuppel’, commonly known as Marjoram or Ornamental Oregano, is a pretty addition to the garden.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Plant type	Herbs, Perennials
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Summer (Mid, Late), Fall
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Soil Type	Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil Ph	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Well-Drained
Characteristics	Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy

Echinacea purpurea 'White Swan' (Coneflower)

Echinacea purpurea ‘White Swan’ adds a touch of elegance to the borders with its large, sweet honey-scented, pure white flowers, reflexing away from their coppery-brown, spiky central cone. Blooming from early to late summer, sometimes with additional sporadic bloom until frost, this attractive perennial provides a vibrant floral display in the garden. Perfect for perennial borders, prairies, and cottage gardens.

Hardiness	3 - 8
Plant type	Perennials
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Soil Type	Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil Ph	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Well-Drained
Characteristics	Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy

Helenium 'Moerheim Beauty' (Sneezeweed)

Award-winner Helenium ‘Moerheim Beauty’ is highly prized by gardeners for its extremely long blooming season and its unique and outstanding color

Hardiness	3 - 8
Plant type	Perennials
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Soil Type	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil Ph	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics	Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy

Crocosmia masoniorum

For a dramatic look! Robust, Crocosmia masoniorum is a very attractive and elegant species with brilliant, upward-facing, flaming orange blossoms sitting atop arching stems and blooming from midsummer to early fall.

Hardiness	6 - 9
Plant type	Bulbs
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Mid, Late), Fall
Height	4' - 5' (120cm - 150cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Soil Type	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil Ph	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics	Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy

Stipa tenuissima (Mexican Feather Grass)

Mexican Feather Grass (Stipa tenuissima) is a stunning ornamental grass with slender, silvery-green foliage that dances in the breeze, adding elegance to any garden.

Hardiness	7 - 11
Plant type	Ornamental Grasses
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Soil Type	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil Ph	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics	Plant of Merit

Eryngium bourgatii 'Picos Blue' (Mediterranean Sea Holly)

Eryngium bourgatii ‘Picos Blue’ (Mediterranean Sea Holly) is a lovely addition to the garden or mixed containers for various reasons. Unlike other species, its deeply lobed, dark green foliage, which appears before the flowers, is elegantly marbled with broad silvery-white veins, making it very attractive and luminous.

Hardiness	4 - 9
Plant type	Perennials
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Summer (Mid, Late)
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	10" - 1' (25cm - 30cm)
Soil Type	Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil Ph	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Well-Drained
Characteristics	Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy

Hemerocallis 'Frans Hals' (Daylily)

A highly popular bicolored Daylily, Hemerocallis ‘Frans Hals’ produces open, starry blossoms with yellow outer petals and bright deep reddish-orange inner petals perfectly lined with pale yellow midribs.

Hardiness	3 - 9
Plant type	Perennials
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Mid, Late)
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Soil Type	Chalk, Clay, Loam
Soil Ph	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics	Plant of Merit, Showy

Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' (Feather Reed Grass)

One of the most popular ornamental grasses worldwide, Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ (Feather Reed Grass) is a majestic ornamental grass, highly valued for its erect feathery flower plumes, moving gracefully with even the slightest breeze. Fast-growing, reliable, with a multi-season interest, this cool season grass is not only beautiful, but it is also virtually carefree and quite versatile.

Hardiness	4 - 8
Plant type	Ornamental Grasses
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	3' - 6' (90cm - 180cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Soil Type	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil Ph	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics	Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy

How Many Plants Do I Need?

Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas

Hemerocallis (Daylily) Stipa (Feather Grass) Rudbeckia Liatris (Blazing Star) Calamagrostis (Reed Grass) Crocosmia Echinacea (Coneflower) Eryngium (Sea Holly)

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Alternative Plants to Consider

Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’ (Coneflower)

Eryngium planum ‘Blue Glitter’ (Flat Sea Holly)

Liatris spicata ‘Floristan Weiss’ (Blazing Star)

Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ (Montbretia)

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.