ISHS Acta Horticulturae 643: International Conference on Urban Horticulture
CREATING PRAIRIE MEADOW ECOSYSTEMS AS THE NEW AMERICAN LAWN |
| Author: | N. Diboll |
| Keywords: | native plants, wildflower, habitat, landscape, plant community, burning |
| Abstract:
Lawn and Prairie are two different landscape and social models. Whereas lawn can only be maintained through high input of water, chemicals, and labour, Prairie meadows require no fertilizers or fungicides, and few if any herbicides. A properly established and maintained prairie meadow is a self-sustaining plant community that will provide landscape beauty for decades to come. The prairie grasses and flowers create high quality habitat for birds, butterflies, and other wildlife. The deep-rooted prairie plants encourage infiltration of rainwater into the soil, thus reducing stormwater runoff and flooding. Prairies can also serve as buffer strips between maintained turf and wetland areas, such as ponds, waterways, and marshes. They require only annual mowing or burning once established. | |
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