Don’t be a purist. When starting out, don’t try to be a purist. It’s OK to use regionally native plants that may not technically be native to your specific section of land. “Blond Ambition” blue grama, for example, derives from Minnesota, but it is strikingly attractive and right at home across Nebraska. Also, well-behaved non-native plants are still OK. Some of our most colorful, reliable and pollinator-friendly plants are non-natives such as sedum, catmint, yarrow and hosta.

Do your homework. Take some time to study the best native plants for your area. Some of my favorites include little bluestem, prairie dropseed, sideoats grama, shell-leaf penstemon, pale purple coneflower, baptisia, brown-eyed Susans, common yarrow, aromatic aster, dotted gayfeather and stiff goldenrod, to name just a few. There are literally dozens of species to choose from, which is part of the fun.

ALL SEASON LONG: Many native prairie plants, such as these black-eyed Susans, will not only flourish in all kinds of conditions but also will bloom all season long.

Humble beginnings. Start small and expand over time. Perhaps experiment with a small section of the yard to figure out what plants do best for you, and then expand outward over time. It also would be wise to work with a local landscape professional who knows native plants and how to best arrange them. Also, be aware that native landscape plants are not always readily available at local nurseries. Be patient in tracking them down.

Location, location. Be aware that tall prairie species including grasses such as big bluestem, Indiangrass and switchgrass, as well as many tall forbs, can be floppy in a perennial garden and are better used in larger and more naturalistic prairie borders and patches, where they can help hold each other upright. Also, remember that the native prairie occasionally catches on fire in hot, dry and windy conditions. As such, it would be best to place naturalistic prairie patches some distance from your home or other important structures if wildfire is a possibility (which is a growing concern across the state).

Trees and shrubs. Don’t forget about native trees and shrubs such as bur oak, chinkapin oak, dwarf chinkapin oak, black cherry, hackberry, linden, sycamore and Ponderosa pine, to name just a few. Hardy Great Plains native trees and shrubs help take up space and are critical to providing shade, enclosure and wind protection. Is there anything more picturesque than a well-cared-for farmstead flanked by protective trees and shrubs?