D E S I G N

Artistically-driven native plant communities
that solve environmental challenges.

S P E A K I N G

C L A S S E S
Bringing passion, new thinking, and humor to audiences around the country.
Videos on researching, installing, & managing your designed habitat garden.


M I S S I O N

In a time of climate change and mass extinction gardens matter more than ever.

We don't have to default to high-maintenance expanses of lawn, or to beds that need annual mulch applications or use the same exotic plants we see in any garden in any state. Plants don't want to be marooned several feet apart; plants want to cavort and mingle and be their own mulch while naturally improving soil with layered root systems. When we discover our ecoregion we find our home place -- and we bring the power of local nature into our lives. As we witness wildlife use the garden's plants, we understand that ours is not the only voice on this planet. And we are liberated.

Gardens should be as beautiful to us as to other species.


U N I Q U E   P R O C E S S

We use 95% native plants to support wildlife.

Our plants are younger which helps them establish sooner.

We use high-density plant communities in artistic designs that mimic nature to increase ecological function and decrease maintenance over time.

Our gardens don't rely on amending soil, annual wood mulch / fertilizer applications, or post-install herbicides.

We specialize in lawn conversions and urban shade meadows.
Monarch Gardens did a wonderful job understanding my needs and complementing my vision.... Easy to work with, prompt, and mindful of budget."

Monarch Garden's philosophy is exactly what we've been looking for."

I was interested in redesigning my front yard that was largely shaded. Benjamin was very knowledgeable as to the plants that would work for me."
L A N D S C A P E S

2 0 2 2 - 2023  A P P E A R A N C E S

"Absolutely moving, inspired, poetic message. This lecture will change the way I garden forever after. So. Very. Worthwhile.”

"An honest, authentic, and stirring call to action."

1/27 -- Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens -- online

1/27 -- Tallgrass Prairie Center -- online

2/13 -- Project Green of Iowa City -- online

2/15 -- Metro Hort Group -- online

2/24 -- Ecological Landscape Alliance -- online

2/24 -- Greater Kane County Wild Ones -- online

3/7 -- Pan's Garden, Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach -- online

3/17 -- Garden Masterclass, Thursday Chat -- online

4/13 -- Grow Native Massachusetts -- online

4/24 -- David Suzuki Foundation -- online

6/16 -- Johnson County Kansas Extension Master Gardeners -- online

7/13 -- Plant it Wild -- online

10/11 -- Horticulture Society of Maryland -- online

10/11 -- ILCA Impact Conference -- online

2/17/23 -- GreenScapes Symposium, Brookside Gardens -- online

3/15/23 -- The Nature Foundation of Will County -- online

6/20/23 -- International Master Gardener Conference, KC -- design workshop and lecture
C O M M U N I T Y
Prairie Up is an online membership community devoted to intermediate, serious native plant gardeners. Through a passionate forum and collaborative design work, we empower one another to garden sustainably with intentional design that appeals to both wildlife and people.

B O O K S
"Absolutely extraordinary."
"More than a garden book."
"A call to arms and a joy to read."

purchase a signed copy
"A cookbook for [urban] prairie restoration featuring unparalleled lists of which plants to use, in what combinations, and under what conditions." 

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Monarch Gardens