Always keep in mind that while a prairie reconstruction or restoration involves the planting of many beautiful wildflowers and grasses, you are actually planting an ecosystem, not a flower garden. Nature may take many years to turn your project into a balanced system. By working with nature, you can speed up this process, but still be prepared to wait several years for high quality results. One of the fun things about prairie reconstruction is watching the system change and mature. With some work and lots of patience, you should be able to develop an ecologically sound, low maintenance prairie reconstruction that you will be proud to own.

Prairie reconstruction should not be confused with the planting of "wildflowers" often available in garden and discount stores. Prairie plantings use long lived perennial flowers and grasses which are native to our area and are highly adapted to our climate.  "wildflowers in a container" and other generic "wildflower" packagescontain mostly annual or short lived perennials that are native to the western or southern states. They are beutiful but must be weeded or replanted every year or two in our climate.