At the time of settlement of Cedar Falls, the hilltop of St. Luke’s was a part of miles and miles of tallgrass prairie that stretched from the north-facing wooded slopes of the Cedar River far to the south, southwest and west. At that time, the state of Iowa consist-ed of 80% prairie. In the intervening years most of this 28,000-acres of prairie has been converted to agriculture and urban development so that today less that 0.1% of prairie remains.
St. Luke’s Heritage Prairie was established as a memento of that once vast landscape and an appreciation of the conservation work of St. Luke’s members Larry Eilers and Daryl Smith. The prairie is composed of 3-parts, a south-facing slope on the north-edge of the parking lot, a circular area in the curve of the drive to the upper part of the parking lot, and a south-facing slope at the south-end of the parking lot. As a part of the Easter Vigil Service a portion of the prairie slope on the north edge is burned and the Paschal Candle is lit from the burning prairie vegetation.
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The prairie planting consists of a mixture of grasses and forbs (wild flowers) typical of the original prairie of this area. A list of the species is included below. Flowering the prairie plants begins in May and continues into September. You are encouraged to enjoy each species as
it comes into bloom. A list of the species in bloom at a particular time will be provided.
Prairie Plants
Name of Plant
Bloom Time
Information about the flower/plant can go here.
Information about the flower/plant can go here.
Information about the flower/plant can go here.
Information about the flower/plant can go here.
Name of Plant
Bloom Time
Information about the flower/plant can go here.
Information about the flower/plant can go here.
Information about the flower/plant can go here.
Information about the flower/plant can go here.