Planning Native Landscapes That Perform

In land management, success is decided before installation. Project success depends on early planning choices—such as selecting species, source provenance, container sizing, and establishing strong root systems. This issue highlights practical, field-tested methods that improve survival, performance, and long-term return on investment. From specifying native plants early to using disciplined urban plant palettes and choosing cultivars with foresight, the following articles demonstrate how informed decisions today lead to resilient landscapes tomorrow.

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Prairie Dropseed:

Versatile, native grass

Prairie Dropseed, Sporobolus heterolepis, is a versatile native grass valued for its elegant form and reliable growth. This Midwestern species forms a compact, fountain-shaped clump about 2’ x 2’, making it perfect for urban landscapes, streetscapes, and managed native plantings. Its fine-textured foliage provides movement and seasonal interest, with late-summer blooms that give off a subtle fragrance.

Ecologically, Prairie Dropseed offers winter habitat for native bees and beneficial insects when left standing, while birds use the seed and cover throughout dormancy. Learn more about Prairie Dropseed and other native grasses grown with Forrest Keeling’s RPM® technology, which creates strong root systems for quick establishment.

Why February Matters: Early Native Specifications & Project Performance

Native landscape projects succeed best when plant material is specified early. February is a key time to select species that match the natural communities of our sites, container sizes, and delivery schedules, reducing the need for substitutions later in the season. Early specification enables designers, municipalities, and contractors to coordinate plant choices with site conditions, installation timelines, and long-term maintenance goals.

Forrest Keeling’s RPM® production system supports this by growing superior plants with dense, fibrous root systems that establish quickly, grow faster, and perform more reliably in compacted or stressed soils. Projects planned early benefit from stronger roots, higher transplant success, and fewer compromises during installation.

>> Read our article on natural communities at FKNursery.com. <<

Urban and civic landscapes need plants that offer ecological benefits along with a stable, attractive appearance and low maintenance. Many native species meet these needs by providing neat structures, manageable sizes, and seasonal interest without invasive growth or high upkeep.

Tidy native perennials like yarrow, amsonia, and blue indigo, along with upright native cultivars of little bluestem, serviceberry, and oak, perform consistently in streetscapes, campuses, and mixed-use developments. Careful selection enables designers to achieve a polished look while supporting pollinators, birds, and soil health.

Watch this video to learn more about StreetSmart® trees and other natives perfect for urban settings.

September 17, 2026

Forrest Keeling Nursery invites conservation professionals, planners, urban foresters, and landscape leaders to a full-day educational event at our Elsberry, Missouri, location. Our event, ’Rooted in Natives,’ will focus on how natives, native cultivars, and compatible, noninvasive plants function, support ecological health, and generate real economic benefits— through restored habitats, pollinator and songbird corridors, soil regeneration, cost savings, and profitable design strategies.

Keynote speaker David Mizejewski from the National Wildlife Federation will share insights on large-scale integration of native plants. The day will also include production tours, targeted breakout sessions, and a special lunch in Forrest Keeling’s Cypress Grove.

Registration is free, but space is limited.

Forrest Keeling Nursery (FKNursery.com) is the leading producer of native plants in North America. With over seventy-five years dedicated to environmental stewardship, Forrest Keeling’s innovative technology and meticulous attention to superior plant provenance make it exceptionally equipped to provide premium native plant materials for any project.

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Monday-Friday: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm

Saturday: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Sunday: Closed

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