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

This was one of our first planted prairies, and it has turned out to be less successful than some of the later ones.  We haven’t done much subsequent work on it – we don’t often walk through it so it gets ignored most of the time.

I found a big clump of bright purple iris at the wet end of the prairie this year – I’m not quite sure what species they are – but probably a cultivated one, not native.  They’ve been here a long time – since at least 2010.  The seeds may have come mixed in with other native seeds I purchased when we originally planted the prairie in 2000.

We didn’t do anything special here this year except mowing the paths.  Unfortunately I didn’t take many photos this year either.

6/9/2022  Before the paths were mowed – with Golden Alexanders blooming

7/9/2022  Mystery Irises

7/26/2022

7/26/2022  This northern corner used to be very weedy with not many flowers.  We’ve mowed it a few times to discourage Canada/Tall Goldenrod – in mid-summer before the goldenrod blooms – and it’s much improved.  Most of the flowers blooming now are Monarda, Yellow Coneflower and Oxeye.

7/26/2022   Another view of the northern corner

7/26/2022  Farther south with willows creeping in from the driveway ravine

7/26/2022  The south end on the way up to Pine Point

11/28/2022

11/28/2022