Native Nursery Seeds

Just as the seasons of the year come and go, so do the seasons of our native flowers. Over the past several weeks, the native nursery has been filled with vibrant blooms, providing color, nectar for pollinators, and beauty for all who pass by. As we move beyond their peak flowering season, many of those blossoms are beginning to fade—but their work is far from over.

Unlike traditional ornamental landscapes, a native prairie continues to provide value long after the flowers have faded. The seed heads and standing stems become an essential part of the ecosystem. They provide food for birds, shelter for beneficial insects as they overwinter, and an opportunity for us to collect seeds that will grow the next generation of native plants. A garden that may appear to be “finished” for the season, is, in reality, entering one of its most important stages.

For this reason, we intentionally leave much of the prairie standing rather than cutting it back immediately. Our Grounds team will, however, deadhead the Black-eyed Susans by removing their spent flower heads to encourage a second flush of blooms later this season. Once those blooms have finished, they too will be left to produce seed.

While many seeds will remain to nourish birds and replenish the landscape naturally, we will collect a portion to share with our community at our upcoming Sustainability Summit on November 7.

This thoughtful cycle reflects the message of Laudato Si’, which reminds us that all of creation is interconnected and that we are called to be stewards of the gifts entrusted to us. Rather than viewing the prairie only for its seasonal beauty, we recognize the value it provides through every stage of its life.