Chapters in Iowa

Rosen Ag Center, Morningside University, 1800 Sioux Trail, Sioux City, IA 51106

Two and a half years since its establishment, the Cargill Outdoor Classroom Educational Prairie has served as a wildlife oasis at Morningside University. The prairie's creation stems from the University's mission of lifelong learning and dedication to ethical leadership and civic responsibility. Through extensive research, self-grown and transplanted natives, and routine maintenance, the Educational Prairie has integrated itself within the agriculture department as a model student-led project.
In its current state, over two dozen native species of local ecotype are present within the hillside garden, with various blooms throughout the summer and fall. The Educational Prairie is the product of community support that aims to provide learning opportunities for all students alike, in the hopes of sharing the collective benefit of native plants in the greater Siouxland area. Host: Jose Lopez
 

Troop 208 Native Prairie Garden
Sertoma Park, 3233 Singing Hills Blvd., Sioux City, IA 51106
This garden is the result of an eagle project done by a member of Troop 208 in Sioux City. The garden is located at Sertoma Park and features a variety of prairie plants endemic to the Loess Hills. This site was picked because it had a wonderful opportunity to educate the public about the benefits and beauty of native plants. It is also a good example of how a native plant garden looks in its infancy. Host: Noah Elder, Eagle Scout, Troop 208

2801 S. Cecelia Street, Sioux City, IA 51106

Tom & Cheri Stewart have created an ever-expanding, backyard native garden paradise that is both beautiful and ecologically significant. In 2022, Stewart’s Hilltop Garden was awarded Sioux City's Yard-of-the-Year.
Come walk through the gardens and enjoy the pollinators who are also visiting!
Then relax on a garden bench while enjoying some refreshments.
Or shop the native plant sale at the Hilltop Garden and pick up a few natives for your own yard. Proceeds from the plant sale go towards funding native plant gardens and educational programs in the Siouxland region. Hosts: Tom & Cheri Stewart

https://loesshills.wildones.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2026/07/2026-Summer-Plant-Sale-List.docx

Join us for a social meetup with other native plant enthusiasts at Sarah's home garden in Solon. Everyone is welcome – from beginners to seasoned gardeners – and you don’t need to be a Wild Ones member to attend. 

You’ll see a newly-established 2400 sq. foot native garden in its second year. Sarah’s home is in a new housing development built on former agricultural land.  Her lot abuts the Johnson County Greenway and Hoover Trail, which feature copious native plantings and prairie restorations.  

What to bring
• Bring a lawn chair (and a friend if you wish), and we’ll provide beverages and snacks.  The location is sunny so bring sunscreen or a hat if you need extra protection. 

• Optional: Bring native plants to swap or share.

• We’ll have a “show and tell” so feel free to bring some favorite pics from your yard as well as your questions or challenges related to native plants.  

Location
Sarah's house is in the Trail Ridge Estates development, on the south side of Hwy 382 just west of Solon. It’s a bit tricky to map, so navigate to this location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/DQ3tJ2kDPJRHKV7GA.  It’s the first house on the Macbride Trail cul-de-sac. 

Please RSVP at the link below.

We are excited to offer garden walks in Vermillion this year. The properties are located near each other to allow you to visit all three yards during your visit.

Anna Kantenbach’s Garden
Saturday, August 8, 2026, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm (Central Time)
513 Thomas Street, Vermillion, SD 57069 When we moved to SD in 2020, I happened to see a little metallic green bee while out on a walk along the river. That bee sparked my curiosity and led me to native plants to support native bees of all kinds. The side garden began when we had to remove a large maple tree and the mulch provided a perfect way to prepare the area for something other than grass and weeds. The next year, I expanded the garden across the driveway, making a border that would add color and interest but keep some lawn space for kids. This year, the front border was extended even more.
Host: Anna Kantenbach

Tom and Sandi King’s Gardens
Saturday, August 8, 2026, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm (Central Time)
109 S. Yale St., Vermillion, SD 57069
We have lived at this address for over 35 years, when what started out as a rental became our permanent home. The house was originally built in 1867 below the bluff near the former channel of the Missouri River and was moved to its present location following the 1881 flood. I have always envisioned it as our “little house on the prairie” so that style of garden is a perfect fit. One of my influences was my grandmother’s Harvey Dunn print The Prairie is My Garden.
Out front to the north, you will see a mix of newly planted native species (with labels!) nestled in a deep bed of wood chips alongside canna lilies, vintage peonies, iris, hydrangeas, and a few daylilies. To the south is a recently reorganized bed with grandma’s bleeding heart, sedum, peony and vinca vine as well as groupings of potted plants. This area will contain more native species next season. The backyard is surrounded by a privacy fence, deck, and screened area that were mostly created with reclaimed or salvaged lumber, plus a vintage brick patio and walkway, original to the property.
The back garden hosts our veggie patch interplanted with annual flowers, and surrounding the house is an eclectic mix of perennials and native species. Potted plants are placed throughout to add color and interest. Our plantings are designed to encourage birds and pollinators to visit and stay, and they tend to look a little "wild" toward the end of the season but that's part of the plan.
Hosts: Tom and Sandi King

Clark Christensen’s Garden
Saturday, August 8, 2026, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm (Central Time)
1140 Valley View Dr., Vermillion, SD 57069
In my smallish backyard, the native plant garden is located next to the deck and screened-in porch. It is easily visible indoors from the kitchen window. It features a variety of forbs, grasses, and shrubs, along with a bird bath and bird feeder to attract wildlife. A curved brick path leads through a prominent garden gate to a raised bed vegetable garden, a small toolshed, and a three-bin composter. My front yard has a more conventional layout, featuring a Sugar Maple, a Northern Red Oak, and a Black Hills Spruce. Host: Clark Christensen

Metzger Gardens, 1250 Tucker Hill Dr, Hinton, IA, 51024
The Metzger native gardens were started in Spring of 2020 by Danielle & James and are ever-expanding with each passing year. Each garden has a name and was designed by Danielle using plants mostly from Loess Hills Wild Ones native plant sales.
4
Most of the rock borders for the gardens were transported from Danielle’s father’s farm located in Buena Vista County. Danielle has a love for grasses and sedges. Her favorite wildflowers are the varied species of Purple Coneflower (Echinacea) and Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa). Her love of the Monarch Butterfly is what sparked and ignited her joy of native gardening.
Refreshments and restrooms will be available. Hosts: Danielle, James & Lilly Metzger

A Garden Smorgasbord
1088 Pachsama Ct., Sioux City, IA 51108
Welcome! Our gardens began in 2002, soon after moving into our new home. Vegetable beds were first, flower bed followed and continued to evolve.
I admit to being a plant collector - I like most everything! I have been incorporating native plants into my established beds and have just started a native garden in front of my she-shed (all are first year plantings). My efforts to get a few patches of natives started in the brome grass has been challenging. I keep sowing seeds each fall, hopefully some will take off. Enjoy!
Hosts: La Vone Sopher and Randy Bradley