Herbert Hoover National Historic Site - Wildflowers

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site by National Parks Service

Managers sowed 17 forb (wildflower) species in the spring of 1982 and a mix of 26 other forb species in the spring of 1983. The result today is a colorful array of flowers mixed with the green, purple, and golden hues of native grasses from April until late October. Numerous other species have appeared by natural reintroduction from outside the park. Exotic species, some attractive wildflowers, have escaped into the park as well.

The NHS discourages the intrusion of exotics by using fire to manage the prairie. Prairie wildflowers benefit from fire management. Fire returns nutrients, particularly potassium which is critical to blooming, back to the soil. It reduces competition from exotic species, and in some cases, prepares seeds for germination.