[To see photos and stories of this prairie in other years, go to the links on the main Buffalo Ridge Prairie page.]

This was the third summer for Buffalo Ridge Prairie. Most of the bad weed problems (Canada Horseweed, Curly Dock, and Lamb’s Quarters) have gotten better. The only complaint I have now is that I planted too much Junegrass (Koeleria macrantha).

This was taken in late May – lots of different prairie plants coming up including Prairie Sage, Junegrass, and Monarda.

Indian Paintbrush is thriving – there’s more every year – along with the Junegrass.  This is in early June.

The hummingbirds like the Indian Paintbrush.  It’s fun to see them nectaring in prairies instead of just at feeders.

Junegrass and Hawk’s Beard (Crepis tectorum) are blooming. (Hawk’s Beard is a non-native weed, but it doesn’t seem to cause any problems so I don’t worry about it.)

Junegrass with Monarda (Monarda fistulosa) and Spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis)

Later in June – the Junegrass has turned brown, Oxeye (Heliopsis helianthoides) and Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) are blooming, and Monarda (Monarda fistulosa) is nearly ready to bloom.

Some other blooming plants:

Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

Harebells (Campanula rotundifolia)

Prairie Alum Root (Heuchera richardsonii)