This plant is the floral emblem of Manitoba and South Dakota. This welcome little sign of spring is sometimes difficult to grow in a garden. It can be started from seed collected from the wild, or purchased from growers specializing in native plants and seeds. Transplanting Native Plants Please do not attempt to transplant plants from the wild to the garden. Like other native prairie plants, prairie crocus often flowers much more abundantly after a fire.
Fire removes the dead plant litter, returns minerals to the soil surface, and increases light.
In pre-settlement times, small fires could occur all through the year, and native plants are well adapted to fire. Now, as awareness of the importance of fire is increasing, its use as a management tool in natural areas is also increasing. Safety is a big issue. Fire should ONLY be used under the direction of trained, experienced people who can supervise a controlled burn - and who will accept liability in case the fire gets away and someone is injured, or property is damaged. Old Man's garden .