Get thee to a prairie!

About five years ago, I wrote about June wildflowers on the dry prairie and expounded on the delights of the sensory explosion to be found there (see June 2009). Well, I cant help it, Im at it again. Just cant seem to get over this bounty of beautiful bunches of blossoms. So, this is your phenological task for this month – GO TO A DRY PRAIRIE!! You shant be disappointed. Hastings Sand Coulee SNA and Grey Cloud Dunes SNA are two metro sites I can attest to. For a sneak preview of what youll find: hairy puccoon, large-flowered penstemon, New Jersey tea, prairie phlox, spiderwort, prairie rose, slender penstemon, prairie larkspur.

New Jersey tea

Photo: Karen Schik / FMR

Penstemon

Photo: Karen Schik / FMR

Prairie Phlox

Photo: Karen Schik / FMR

Wildflowers at the Hastings Sand Coulee SNA

Photo: Karen Schik / FMR

Upcoming Events

LGBTQIA2S+ Pride demonstration box tending on Nicollet Island
Tuesday, June 30, 2026 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Nicollet Island prairie, Minneapolis
Lop buckthorn brush and enjoy a supporter social hour at Vermillion Falls Park
Tuesday, July 7 - 4:30 p.m. social hour, 6:00 p.m. volunteer event
Vermillion Falls Park, Hastings
Tend a prairie at Hastings River Flats Park
Tuesday, July 21, 2026 - 4:00pm to 6:00pm
Near the confluence of the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers, Hastings

See all Upcoming Events