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Prairie Area

Prairie Garden (Area U)

This sunny open area was seeded with a mixture of North American prairie species. The seed was spread, at the beginning of February 2004, onto a sand seedbed to discourage germination of native seeds existing in the soil beneath. By October, a variety of prairie species were in full flower, including asters, rudbeckias and golden rods. This area will provide an excellent comparison between such use of perennials and the more traditional herbaceous or mixed borders elsewhere in the Gardens. The work is being supervised and led by staff from the Landscape Department at the University of Sheffield, with site preparation and sowing by the Gardens' staff and FOBS.

Throughout 2005, Penstemon digitalis, Monarda and Castilleja all flowered well. However, as time goes on, the composition of such plantings changes, with vigorous genera dominating. Currently the main genera are Aster, Echinacea, Helianthus, Solidago and Sylphium, giving big interwoven drifts of colour.

In winter, the remains of dead plants are strimmed off; in early spring, the remaining plant debris is burnt off, giving a good clean start for the new season's growth.

Burning off prairie area

Staff and volunteers seed sowing

Monarda fistulosa