Prairie Friends

Prairie Friends® Native Plant Nursery specializes in perennials which are indigenous species, all of them grown directly from seed. We source seeds from the Upper Midwest as well as gathering them locally for germination. Our plants represent the original species which have co-evolved with prairie insects over the past 12,000 years. They are not cloned, started from cuttings or grown as native cultivars (also known as 'nativars'). The perennials we help bring to life are as authentic as they are enduring. Our plant nursery is genuinely committed to promoting biodiversity, conserving natural resources, practicing sustainability, excluding pesticides (including neonics) and — most importantly — nourishing the pollinators which help nourish us. Further, our operation uses recycled, repurposed and recovered materials wherever possible. For example, our growing medium does not use peat moss which is non-renewable and extracted from Canadian bogs and wetlands. Instead, we use PittMoss®, an organic, peat-free product made from recycled paper. Prairie Friends exclusively grows and sells native plants so collectively we can help restore a small part of the natural ecosystem that thrived here for thousands of years. By planting flowering perennials, each of us can provide permanent habitat and food sources for the many species of bees, butterflies, birds, and other native wildlife living near our homes. Our business, our work and our learning are inspired by the shared values of reverence, joy and curiosity about the native plants which are keystone species of our regional ecosystem and its food web.