---
title: "Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens — Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers | Houzz"
canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/benjamin-vogt-monarch-gardens-pfvwus-pf~310640362
markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~310640362.md
entity_type: LocalBusiness
business_name: "Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens"
category: ["Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers"]
image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/1633e9c4001c1398_1622-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg
address: "Lincoln, Nebraska 68522, United States"
latitude: 40.7934
longitude: -96.7479
phone: "(402) 499-5851"
website: https://prairieup.com
rating: 5
review_count: 26
best_of_houzz_awards: 11
followers: 1727
last_updated: 2026-08-25
---

# Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Original Houzz profile: [Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/benjamin-vogt-monarch-gardens-pfvwus-pf~310640362)

## Professional summary

- **Primary category:** Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers
- **Location:** Lincoln, NE
- **Serves:** Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island, Kearney, Walton, Malcolm, Pleasant Dale, Raymond, Yankee Hill, Denton, Roca, Martell, Council Bluffs
- **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (26 reviews)
- **Best of Houzz:** 11 awards (2015–2023), for Service, Design.

## About

### Houzz Badges

- Houzz Influencer
- Recommended on Houzz
- 25,000 Ideabook Saves

We design native plant gardens that focus on sustainability, wildlife value, and less maintenance compared to traditional landscapes. Through an artful interpretation and revival of the prairie and woodland community we bring nature home in all four seasons.

What makes us different?

-- We use 100% native plants to support wildlife such as bees, butterflies, and birds.
-- Our plants are younger which helps them establish sooner (within weeks).
-- We use more plants in lush, layered designs that mimic nature to increase ecological function and decrease maintenance over time.
-- No soil amendments or fertilizers and very little to no mulching. We work with current site conditions as much as possible (plants can help fix issues like ponding, erosion, weeds, or low fertility).
-- During the first year we provide additional consults to help you establish your new wildlife garden and ensure long-term success.

The process begins with an initial consult in your landscape then proceeds to a design, which may be done either digitally as a formal plan or on site the day of installation. We procure all plant material sourced as locally as possible. Installation can be performed by clients under our guidance, set up through a contractor of your choosing, or we will be able to perform the install. 

We work with clients primarily in Lincoln and Omaha, but have helped homeowners across the Midwest.

### Services Provided

- Landscape Design
- Garden Design
- Landscape Plans
- Drought Tolerant Landscaping
- Organic Gardens
- Butterfly gardens
- Low maintenance landscapes
- Native plant design
- Pollinator gardens

### Areas Served

- Omaha
- Lincoln
- Grand Island
- Kearney
- Walton
- Malcolm
- Pleasant Dale
- Raymond
- Yankee Hill
- Denton
- Roca
- Martell
- Council Bluffs

### Typical Job Cost

$6,000 - 30,000

## Business Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Business Name | Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens |
| Address | Lincoln, Nebraska 68522, United States |
| Phone | (402) 499-5851 |
| Website | https://prairieup.com |
| Followers on Houzz | 1727 |

**Social profiles:**
- Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/MonarchGardens
- X (Twitter) — https://twitter.com/brvogt\#
- LinkedIn — http://instagram.com/monarchgardensbenjaminvogt/
- Blog — http://monarchgard.com

## Contact

- **Houzz profile:** [Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/benjamin-vogt-monarch-gardens-pfvwus-pf~310640362)
- **Website:** https://prairieup.com
- **Phone:** (402) 499-5851

## Credentials

**Certifications & Awards**
- Best of Houzz \| 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 \| 2012 Apartment Therapy Best Outdoor Space \| APLD Silver Award, GWA

- **Best of Houzz:** 11 awards (2015–2023), for Service, Design.

## Reviews

**Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 26 reviews**

*Aspect averages:*
- Work Quality: 50.0
- Communication: 50.0
- Value: 50.0

### Reviews

**★★★★★ — Cindy Elder, Dec. 2022**

> Benjamin designed and replanted our front yard this summer. He was easy to work with throughout the process. He wanted to know why we were looking to make a change, what we wanted to achieve, what parts of our yard we wanted to keep, any preferences, etc. After installation, Benjamin was available to answer questions as was needed, which was appreciated and reassuring.

**★★★★★ — larzoairhead, Nov. 2022**

> The consultation provided by Benjamin was very thorough and the work to be performed was clear.  During installation, his crew was very accomodating.  They were also incrediblly hard workers in 100+ heat!
>
> I also like that Benjamin was working right beside his crew.  It showed he had ownership over the project.
>
> I will use them again.

**★★★★★ — Morgan Bridgman, Nov. 2022**

> I wish there were more stars than 5 as an option! Benjamin showed up when expected and completed the work in a timely manner. He installed a shade meadow in our entire back yard. We've been surprised by how much it's already grown in just the first year. We couldn't recommend Benjamin enough.

**★★★★★ — Jill Logston, Nov. 2022**

> Working with Benjamin was fantastic!  He helped us convert our backyard to native prairie. He was always responsive, well organized and reliable. Would happily work with him again and highly recommend him for your projects.

**★★★★★ — John McDevitt, Nov. 2022**

> Benjamin has been super professional and very prompt answering any questions I had. He made everything on my end really easy. I love my lawn and will definitely refer him to others!

**★★★★★ — Amber Kind, Nov. 2021**

> Our experience with Benjamin has been superb. Communication is top notch and extremely professional. We couldn’t be happier we chose to plan a garden with him.

**★★★★★ — Robert Norton, Nov. 2021**

> For years I have had a vision of designing my backyard with native plants and having a backyard prairie.  I hesitated in starting this venture myself, as I wanted the design to be aesthetically pleasing and functional for wildlife.  After researching the topic, I quickly learned that Benjamin was an expert in this field.  Benjamin was prompt at responding and ultimately developed a design for our prairie.  The design was exactly what my wife and I had envisioned.  It became clear to me that Benjamin takes pride in his work and is willing to educate those with his knowledge and experience.  Benjamin provided us with a portfolio of his design, which included step-by-step care instructions and information on the plant species.  Benjamin has contacted me numerous times since the install, inquiring on how the plants were doing.  I believe this quality of service is very rare.  Please don’t hesitate with contacting Monarch Gardens.  Benjamin will exceed your expectations.  I look forward to seeing our prairie grow and will continue to use Benjamin on future projects.

**★★★★★ — Christina, Nov. 2021**

> Benjamin was very responsive when I reached out about what I had in mind. He came out to look at and measure the area, asked what sort of plan I wanted and then we scheduled a time for installation. He was very communicative throughout the process-getting info on local garden areas for mulch delivery, coordinating when and where it should be delivered and when they would be out to install. He gave instructions on how to prepare for installation, and then left us with a USB file on what plants were in the garden, how to care for them the first few weeks and then onward, and what each would look like. I reached out about something I wasn’t sure of plant wise, and he responded same day. I look forward to adding more natural prairie to our backyard in the next couple years, and will be working with them again.

**★★★★★ — Morgan, Nov. 2021**

> We loved working with Benjamin Vogt! Not only did we get a professional garden installation, we got essentially a full crash course on native gardening and how to care for our new native space. We highly recommend working with Monarch Gardens, particularly if you’re looking to take up native gardening in a neat and fashionable way.

**★★★★★ — cnaberhaus, Nov. 2021**

> Ben did an excellent job with our front lawn to prairie conversion- he listened to us, worked within our budget, and even came back to check on things and make adjustments as time went on. We are so happy with our beautiful prairie garden!

**★★★★★ — Liz Retzer, July 2021**

> Sending the initial email to Benjamin was the best thing I did for my yard!  From his fast response times, to his depth of knowledge, Benjamin has provided top notch service throughout the process.  My yard was planted this spring and it is coming along beautifully.  I cannot wait to see what the future brings for my little backyard prairie.

**★★★★★ — Eric Miller, July 2019**

> Benjamin was great to work with.  I was interested in redesigning my front yard that was largely shaded.  Benjamin was very knowledgeable as to the plants that would work in my yard.  He and his crew came to my house on a Saturday when my wife and I were away on a trip and they had the job done by the time we got back the following day.  Benjamin also worked with me in regard to doing more this season which cost me less than if I were to have spread the project over two years.

## Selected projects

- [Suburban Backyard Meadow](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/suburban-backyard-meadow-pj-vj~2786729)
  - Location: Lincoln, NE
  - Photos: 18
  - Description: Budget is for plants and design only. 2,000' meadow planted and sown directly into tall fescue sod (minimized site disturbance and reduced need for chemical treatments). Sod was stressed, then scalped and de-thatched. Grasses were sown and forbs were planted in plug form. After two years the fescue lawn is 80% out competed by the native grasses and sedge.
- [Front Yard Makeover](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/front-yard-makeover-pj-vj~1968383)
  - Location: Lincoln, NE
  - Photos: 18
  - Description: 1,000 square foot remodel of drought-riddled and unused front lawn. Client wanted radical design to tie into neighborhood so the hellstrip was left in place to create a seamless ribbon along the street, and similar width lawn pathway was left in place between the two prairie beds to show design intent and human use. Plants never need watering, fertilizer, or mulching. Annual maintenance is a hedgetimmer used to cut down plants in late March, which takes about 10-15 minutes). Project cost covers…
- [Project Pics](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/project-pics-pj-vj~810511)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 21
  - Description: 2,000ft garden composed of 75% native plants. No grading or site prep performed -- right plant, right place, even on clay soil compacted during a new build. Costs include plant material and design only.
- [2017](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/2017-pj-vj~2806380)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 7
  - Description: Various new projects for 2017. Costs include design and plant material only.
- [Long Border](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/long-border-pj-vj~1971515)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 5
  - Description: An expansive backyard called for a decorative border with environmental purpose. Masses and drifts of drought-tolerant natives blooming all year long provide both privacy and opening to the neighboring grassy area beyond. These images were taken in year two. Costs include design and plant material only.
- [Native Wildflowers](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/native-wildflowers-pj-vj~810534)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 69
- [Urban Slope](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/urban-slope-pj-vj~7545492)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 4
- [University of Nebraska Medical Center Parking Lot Meadows](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/university-of-nebraska-medical-center-parking-lot-meadows-pj-vj~7545489)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 6
- [FEATURED PROJECTS](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/featured-projects-pj-vj~6296858)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 45
- [Urban Shade Meadow](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/urban-shade-meadow-pj-vj~6199284)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 6
  - Description: A client in urban Lincoln, Nebraska was looking to mow less, support wildlife, and have as many sedge species as possible. The sedge out compete weeds serving as a living green mulch while increasing soil moisture in this dry, shady site. The 100% native plant garden includes around 20 species of flowers that bloom April to October.
- [Border Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/border-garden-pj-vj~6287472)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 9
  - Description: A 3,500ft border that's 20' deep along the edge of a large lot. 100% native plants line a sweeping path that moves down the middle of these wildlife-supporting flowers.
- [2020 Front Yard Meadow](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/2020-front-yard-meadow-pj-vj~6186804)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 9
  - Description: A modern home in Omaha gets a unique landscape to match its elevation. 100% native plants, some 25 species of perennial flowers, sown with little bluestem and annual flowers which serve as a living green mulch. Large sweeps of nodding onion and purple prairie clover mingle with rattlesnake master, stiff goldenrod, and round-headed bush clover for blooms from April to October. No fertilizer or supplemental watering will be needed for this drought tolerant designed meadow garden. The space was cre…
- [Small Butterfly Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/small-butterfly-garden-pj-vj~6287384)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 4
- [Bellevue University Meadow](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bellevue-university-meadow-pj-vj~6271389)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 3
- [2019 Front Yard Meadow Updates](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/2019-front-yard-meadow-updates-pj-vj~5760751)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 5

[See all 15 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/benjamin-vogt-monarch-gardens-pfvwus-pf~310640362)

## Ideabooks

- [Coming Back to Life in the Spring Habitat Garden](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/159423127/list/coming-back-to-life-in-the-spring-habitat-garden) — 5 ideas
- [A Celebration of Life in the Winter Garden](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/155995700/list/a-celebration-of-life-in-the-winter-garden) — 5 ideas
- [An Autumn That Brings the Garden to Life](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/153250609/list/an-autumn-that-brings-the-garden-to-life) — 5 ideas
- [The Joy and Anticipation of a Summer Garden](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/150507304/list/the-joy-and-anticipation-of-a-summer-garden) — 4 ideas
- [Add Layers to Garden Beds for Beauty and Sustainability](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/148700792/list/add-layers-to-garden-beds-for-beauty-and-sustainability) — 6 ideas
- [The Promise and Beauty of a Late Autumn Garden](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/128847276/list/the-promise-and-beauty-of-a-late-autumn-garden) — 7 ideas
- [How to Have Your Own Mini Wildflower Meadow in the City](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/104014041/list/how-to-have-your-own-mini-wildflower-meadow-in-the-city) — 6 ideas
- [What to Plant Now to Benefit Wildlife in Spring](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/93785396/list/what-to-plant-now-to-benefit-wildlife-in-spring) — 5 ideas
- [Design a Beautiful Fall Garden Pollinators Will Love](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/91121019/list/design-a-beautiful-fall-garden-pollinators-will-love) — 5 ideas
- [Why Your Native Plants Might Be Struggling](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/90856190/list/why-your-native-plants-might-be-struggling) — 4 ideas
- [What to Know About Starting Your First Native Plant Garden](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/89632515/list/what-to-know-about-starting-your-first-native-plant-garden) — 6 ideas
- [How to Love the Late-Winter Garden](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/79200207/list/how-to-love-the-late-winter-garden) — 4 ideas
- [Stop Fighting the Patchy Lawn!](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/66985499/list/stop-fighting-the-patchy-lawn) — 4 ideas
- [4 Tips for Creating a Small Garden That Welcomes Wildlife](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/59862900/list/4-tips-for-creating-a-small-garden-that-welcomes-wildlife) — 6 ideas
- [Houses](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/4636110/list/houses) — 180 ideas
- [4 Reasons Not to Rush the Spring Garden Cleanup](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/45422876/list/4-reasons-not-to-rush-the-spring-garden-cleanup) — 5 ideas
- [Why Fall Is the Best Time for Planting](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/32644447/list/why-fall-is-the-best-time-for-planting) — 6 ideas
- [7 Reasons Not to Clean Up Your Fall Garden](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/18845475/list/7-reasons-not-to-clean-up-your-fall-garden) — 8 ideas
- [4 Elements of a Stunning Fall Garden](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/30410619/list/4-elements-of-a-stunning-fall-garden) — 11 ideas
- [Be Your Own Wildflower Nursery](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/16210840/list/be-your-own-wildflower-nursery) — 10 ideas

[See all 203 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/benjaminvogt)

## Community Q&A

**Q: What is this purple flower the butterfly is on?** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: It could be Liatris pycnostachya. There are many Liatris species for a variety of site conditions and native ranges.

**Q: What type of grass is this (the predominant clumps)?** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: It's not a grass but a sedge -- Carex brevior. There are various types of sedge for all site conditions (in fact, I've written a few pieces on Houzz about sedge if you want to do a keyword search above).

**Q: Abu Graib?** *(in Photo Questions)*

OMG Benjamin. The rest of your neighbourhood looks like a prison/army barracks. It's difficult for me to understand why you even commenced this project at this location. Have there been complaints regarding property value loss? I've got to read your book. This is fascinating. Ys Terrence Kavanagh, Australia

A: The reason there is a garden here is because neighbors reported us to weed control for tall lawn and dandelions. So I said to hell with it and put in native plants. No complaints, yet, in 3 years. Keep in mind it's not just a bag of seed tossed out, but masses, simple bloom sequence, and there is a lawn path up the middle. Why wouldn't you do this in suburbia, where the most change needs to occur? Doing it in the country no one would see it and learn. Activists must be active at the heart of trouble.

**Q: What is this beautiful tall plant?** *(in Photo Questions)*

Can you provide the name of this plant

A: Liatris aspera. There are MANY species to choose from.

**Q: Online/Catalog Retailers - who's good, who to avoid?** *(in Native Plants)*

Was just flipping through an old post ("Websites that make you cringe" - link at end) and it left this neophyte feeling like there's a secret list of which retailers to hail as godly, and which to mock.
Is there such a list of the good, the bad, and the ugly, or perhaps another thread discussing it? Would love to know what sort of criteria retailers are judged against to determine quality. I would assume selling invasives or diseased plants is a no-no. What else should one look out for when deciding who to purchase from?
I'll admit I get some of the catalogs/emails from companies likely topping the "ugly" list (Michigan Bulb seems to be universally hated around here, not sure why?) but so far I use them for window shopping and ideas, then do research, then purchase plants and seed locally.
(I personally would love to see websites/catalogs that can trace the "bloodline" of their plants; where it originates from, who created the cultivar, or when & where a "wild/open pollinated" specimen was collected to be propagated for sale, and how it has been propagated since...)

link to thread mentioned above: http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/3258754/websites-that-make-you-cringe?n=44

A: In the Northeast check out Izel Native Plants.

**Q: can you tell me the name of this plant?** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: Baptisia alba / lacteata

---

*Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-25.*