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.
