Michigan State University Extension
Home Horticulture - 03900003
01/01/96
Field plants should receive full sun or at least 1/2 day full sun. The soil should contain 25-50% sand to a depth of 1 1/2 feet. More sand should be added for clay soils. Beach sand is too fine to use and doesn't improve drainage very well. Field plants are best kept dry; water should be applied once a week during dry periods lasting over 2 weeks. The soil's pH level should be between 6.5-7.0.
Field plants also differ in requirements as they differ in species:
Asters (Aster spp.), require: Light: Sun to light shade Soil: Depends on species Moisture: Dry to very moist PH: Average Flowering Time: August-October Propagation: Stratification not needed; division in spring
Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), requires: Light: Sun Soil: Sandy oisture: Dry PH: moderately acid Height: 2-3' Flowering Time: July-August Propagation: Stratification not needed; division in spring; stem cuttings in summer.
Black-eyed susan (Rudbeckia hirta), requires: Light: Sun Soil: Sandy PH: Moderately acid Propagation: Stratification not needed Biennial (blooms and dies second year)
Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), requires: Light: Sun Soil: Sandy Moisture: Dry PH: Not specific Height: 1-2' Flowering Time: July-September Propagation: Stratification not needed.
Goldenrod (Solidago spp.), requires: Light: Sun to light shade Soil: Depends on species Moisture: Dry PH: Moderately acid Height: 1-2' Flowering Time: July-October Propagation: Stratification not needed; division in spring
Lupine, blue (Lupinus perennis), requires: Light: Sun to light shade Soil: Sandy Moisture: Dry PH: Moderately acid Height: 1-2' Flowering Time: June-July Propagation: Seed, plant immediately
Prickly pear cactus (opuntia compressa), requires: Light: Sun Soil: Sandy Moisture: Dry PH: Average Height: 1-2' Flowering Time: June-July Propagation: Stratification not needed; stem sections in summer.
Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana), requires: Light: Sun to light shade Soil: Rich in humus Moisture: Dry to moderately moist PH: Neutral Height: 1-2' Flowering Time: June-July Propagation: Seeds stratified; division in spring.
Tiger lily (Lilium tigrinum), requires: Light: Sun to light shade Soil: Average Moisture: Dry to moderately moist PH: Not specific Height: 2-5' Flowering Time: July-August Propagation: Bulblets borne in leaf axis
Wild strawberry (Fragaria virginiana), requires: Light: Sun to light shade Soil: Average Moisture: Dry to moderately moist PH: Moderately acid Height: 3-6" Flowering Time: May-June Propagation: Seeds stratified; root runners