Prairie style of planting was popularised by Dutch designer Piet Oudolf. It uses combinations of ornamental grasses and flowering perennials that gradually build throughout the year to produce beautiful displays by midsummer. This style of planting is quick to establish, drought tolerant and durable to strong winds. Making it one of the best ways to plan a dry garden.

Best plants for a prairie style garden:

Echinacea (coneflowers) – These bold, tough perennials are increasingly popular in gardens as they are easy to grow. They flower in late summer, with a variety of colours available. When creating a prairie style border, combine well with other late perennials and grasses.

Panicum – has dramatic foliage, with the appearance that they have been dipped in red wine. This is a gorgeous effect that provides a good contrast with the green and gold foliage of other ornamental grasses.

Rudbeckia – Are native to the meadows and prairies of North America. They flower in from late summer to mid-autumn, rudbeckias are especially suited to prairie-style borders. They combine particularly well with border perennials such as perovskia, eupatorium, echinacea and persicaria.

Helenium (sneezeweed) – These sun-loving perennials provide splashes of colour, from bright and dramatic to darker and more subdued, depending on the variety of Helenium you choose. They flower from midsummer and into autumn.

Achillea – They are a classic addition with attractive feathery foliage and flat-topped flowerheads. With flowers ranging from white through to yellows, oranges, pinks and purples. Plant these in the front and middle of the border.

Fennel – They are a classic addition with attractive feathery foliage and flat-topped flowerheads. With flowers ranging from white through to yellows, oranges, pinks and purple. Plant these in the front and middle of the border.

Calamagrostis – These are some of the first grasses in spring to emerge, producing a dense green foliage, followed by feathery flowers from June. The grasses can reach up to 2m tall, therefore are best at the back of the border. They need to be good cut back in early spring to make way for new growth.

Veronicastrum – Add height to your border with this plant, most varieties are quite tall reaching up to 1.2m tall, so plant them at the back of your borders. They have tapering flowers that echo the appearance of many ornamental grasses.

Veronicastrum – Add height to your border with this plant, most varieties are quite tall reaching up to 1.2m tall, so plant them at the back of your borders. They have tapering flowers that echo the appearance of many ornamental grasses.

Molinia – Is a small genus that contains just two species. Molinia caerulea is a UK native that is useful in prairie planting schemes because it is somewhat transparent, meaning you can see other plants through it, creating an interesting effect in your garden.

Sipa – Two Stipa species in particular will suit prairie borders. The first, Stipa tenuissima grows to around 60cm in height with feathery foliage that blends effortlessly with other plants. The second, Stipa gigantea can reach over 2m tall and is perfect at the back of a border.

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