About Us

History of Prairie Nursery

J. Robert Smith, founder of Prairie Nursery, was inspired by the wildflowers he saw growing around his farm. Out of curiosity, he began experimenting with Lupine and Butterflyweed, teaching himself how to germinate, grow and transplant prairie plants. Mr. Smith first sold plants commercially in 1972.

In 1982, he passed the company on to Neil Diboll. Since then, the nursery has expanded from the original one half acre to nearly 200 acres today. At Prairie Nursery we are dedicated to bringing our customers the highest quality native plants and seeds, and state of the art technical information on ecological natural landscaping.

About Our Plants

Prairie Nursery is famous for its vigorous and dependable transplants. All of our plants are nursery grown in central Wisconsin, in USDA Zone 4. Temperatures range from 105 degrees F.(40 degrees C.) in summer to - 40 F.(-40 C.) in winter. This means our plants are "Wisconsin Hardy"

Grown in pots, or as roots right in the ground, each plant is grown by the best method to encourage its optimal development. This assures that you will receive the highest quality plants available. Each plant is then carefully inspected and graded before being certified "Prairie Nursery Quality," and then shipped directly to you.

Prairie Nursery Plant Guarantee

We guarantee our plants to arrive alive and healthy and to thrive when planted in the appropriate growing conditions and given proper care. If a plant fails within 30 days of receipt, we can issue a refund, or a one-time replacement plant (if available). This guarantee does not cover loss due to neglect, animals, winter losses, severe weather, or plants installed in soil or sun conditions other than those recommended in our catalog. Due to the vagaries of winter weather, we cannot guarantee survival of fall planted transplants.

PLEASE check your order carefully upon receipt. If your order has been damaged or delayed in transit, call us (1-800-476-9453) immediately. All claims for credit or refunds must be received within 60 days of your order date.

PLEASE read the Transplanting Instructions accompanying your order. For best results, water your plants immediately, store in shaded location, and plant your transplants within seven (7) days, weather permitting.

PLEASE allow 30 days for your transplants to grow before declaring them dead.

All our species are guaranteed to be true to botanical name.

ALL PRAIRIE NURSERY PLANTS ARE NURSERY GROWN.

Our Seed Guarantee

We guarantee that you will receive high quality, viable seed every time you order from Prairie Nursery. Our seed is tested by an independent seed lab for purity and germination, using standard procedures of the Association of Official Seed Analysts. All our seed is sold on a Pure Live Seed (PLS) basis, unless otherwise requested. We observe State and Federal laws governing noxious weeds, as determined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Prairie Nursery is a member of the Wisconsin Crop Improvement Association, which governs seed quality standards for native seeds produced within the state of Wisconsin. Due to the wide variety of planting conditions outside of our control, we cannot guarantee the establishment of plants using our seed.

Seed Return Policy

Any individually packaged species of seed, or any standard Prairie Nursery Catalog or Website Seed Mix that has not been mixed together by the customer or at the customer's request, may be returned within 30 days after the date received. The seed must be in good condition, in its original packaging, and not altered or damaged in any way. All returned seeds and standard Prairie Nursery seed mixes will be charged a 20% re-stocking fee. All Custom Designed Seed Mixes and all Specially Pre-Mixed Seed Mixes of any type are Non-Returnable and Non-Refundable.

About issues with this website, please contact John Mund jmund@prairienursery.com