Nebraskaland

July 2025 Nebraskaland

NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.

Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/1537971

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44 Nebraskaland • July 2025 MIXED BAG July is a great time to see some of Nebraska's most spectacular wildflowers across the state. After all, it's smack in the middle of the growing season and prairies have really hit their stride. While droughts are common in Nebraska and can mute the vibrant green of prairies, many wildflower species, including the ones featured here, can flourish during and after those dry periods. They're as tough as the Nebraskans who live in and around their favorite habitats. PHOTOS BY CHRIS HELZER Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta). Located across Nebraska except some of the southwestern counties, this short-lived perennial can be abundant in some years and less in others, depending on rainfall and land management. MID-SEASON BLOOMERS By Chris Helzer, The Nature Conservancy's Director of Science in Nebraska Upright prairie conefl ower (Ratibida columnifera). One of the characteristic wildfl owers of the mixed-grass prairie, but can found across the entire state, its petals can be yellow or red. This species is often confused with its taller cousin, the grayhead conefl ower, which is native to the very eastern edge of Nebraska but is often used in wildfl ower plantings farther west. Fourpoint evening primrose (Oenothera rhombipetala). A biennial species found throughout much of the state on sandy soils, it has tall, branched stems and large fl owers, making it one of the state's most striking wildfl owers. Hoary vervain (Verbena stricta). Found statewide, it is important for butterfl ies and other pollinators but often seen as a weed. Hoary vervain is not eaten by cattle and expands under heavy grazing, though it's a poor competitor against lightly grazed grasses. Plains sunfl ower (Helianthus petiolaris). Nebraska has seven perennial and two annual sunfl ower species. This image is of one of the annuals and is common in the Sandhills and other sandy soils across the state, especially in areas with exposed, bare soil. Purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea). Located statewide, this long-lived perennial legume is one of the most attractive of our summer fl owers for bees, especially sweat bees and other small species. Purple prairie clover also provides good forage for cattle.

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