Today, the U.S. honors the Laborers. It’s fitting that I choose to honor nature’s laborers: perennial, native, prairie plants. Here, Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) rises tall, like the surrounding skyscrapers. Chicago created a patch of prairie lands in Lurie Gardens several years ago. It could be said it’s a “zoo” of plants for city folk to see and learn from. Today, only 10% of Illinois’ native Prairie lands remain, although it still retains the nickname of the Prairie State.As the Coneflowers end their bloom cycle the seedhead becomes the predominant feature. Goldenrod birds, among many other, enjoy the seeds throughout the winter. Though the plant seems dormant in the cold winter, snowy months, it still works to provide for others. Copyright 2024 Pamela BreitbergPrairies are rich in plant and wildlife diversity. Among the tall Big Bluestem Grasses are a large variety of flowering plants ranging from small beauties to quite large sunflowers. The Prairie has been considered the rainforest of the MIdwest and valued for its diversity. Learn more about the Prairie State here.Winged Loosestrife (Lythrum alatum) is native to Illinois prairies, unlike the invasive European native, Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria). The native produces smaller flowers up to 1/2″ wide. In addition to the above-ground wonders, Prairies are now treasured for their ability to control erosion and renew soil quality. Prairies are silent laborers of love and care. Copyright 2024 Pamela Breitberg
