Garden Design IdeasGarden Ideas, Photos and Tips for Gardening at Home
photograph by : Kuttelvaserova Stuchelova / Shutterstock .
feature in : Garden Design ’s Top 9 Garden Trends for 2023(“Swapping lawn for Meadows " )
In recent twelvemonth , the drift towards more environmentally friendly landscape has continued to grow . Meadow gardens are gaining in popularity as more homeowners trench the traditional turf lawn for more sustainable yard . make native plant life colonies that tight resemble those found in nature is good to wildlife and requires fewer resources to asseverate than a traditional garden or lawn .
You do n’t need a large dimension to make a meadow planting . A curbside slip , incline , or other sunny spot is all that ’s necessary . Here are some tip to get you started .
WHAT IS A MEADOW GARDEN?
There are no voiceless and fast rule for what define a meadow garden . These field lie of plants — primarily regional aboriginal — that are naturalized together to give the appearance of a wild hayfield . Though many of these plants lie in of flowers , native grasses act a primary character . hayfield provide habitat to support wildlife , include bee , butterflies , and other beneficial dirt ball pollinator .
Meadow garden require no fertilizing and little supplemental water once established , do not use harmful chemicals , and do n’t require steady mowing . Not all meadow gardens are make alike . Plants can consist solely of natives , or may also let in annual or other preferred plants .
PLANNING A MEADOW GARDEN
photograph by : Firmansyah Asep / Shutterstock .
Choose a site.
Find an area in your yard that meets the criteria for maturate a hayfield .
Even a pocket-sized recess of a yard can be dedicated to meadow plants . A curbside strip is idealistic for a meadow garden as long as it receives enough light .
Be a good neighbor.
Front yard or curbside meadow gardens may be more accepted in some neighborhoods than others . verify local ordinances or homeowner associations allow these types of planting .
Do your research.
To come up out what kinds of plants comprise a natural garden in your country , visit local meadows or consult with experts at a local nursery , preservation section , or university wing program . Make a lean of flora that will flourish in your area , and what variety or seed mixing are uncommitted to buy . If you are sample to attract butterflies and other good insects , choose plants that will provide food for thought , protection , and a place for breeding .
Draw up a plan.
Even though a hayfield garden has an informal appearance , it still requires planning . Here are some points to reckon :
HOW TO PLANT A MEADOW GARDEN
designer : Jay Withgott and Susan Masta . photograph : Janet Loughrey .
Light.
Most meadow plants postulate at least 6 hours of direct sun per day .
Clear the area of weeds.
This can be accomplished in several ways :
( discover weeds . )
Soil.
To gear up the dirt for planting , part up the soil in the planting arena and commix in a small amount of compost . Add sand or perplex as needed to improve drainage . Natives tend to raise in poorer ground , so do n’t over - amend the soil .
Planting Tips:
HOW TO MAINTAIN A MEADOW GARDEN
Water.
cater regular weewee until plants are launch . Many natives are drought - liberal and need little or no supplemental water once they have developed a healthy root system . For seeds , keep the soil Earth’s surface evenly moist until plant shoot .
Fertilize.
aboriginal plants call for little or no auxiliary fertiliser , opt skimpy condition and poor soil .
Prune.
Dormant plants can be left over winter to provide solid food and shelter for songbirds and other wildlife . Cut plants back to the ground in late winter or other spring before they break away sleeping .
Mow.
For established hayfield , mow plants to about 2 in high in late winter or former give . This will help to keep errant bush and tree seedlings from launch . Mow grasspathwaysseveral times a year , depend on rainfall and the type of skunk .
MEADOW PLANTS
Grape Crush New England aster . Photo by : Proven success
ASTERSymphyotrichumspp .
Zones:3 - 8Exposure : Full to fond shadeHabit : Upright spreading habitSize:1 to 6 groundwork marvellous , 1 to 4 foot wide , varies by case
With daisy - like flowers in hues of purple , pinkish , blank , or dismal , aster is an important late - time of year source of nectar for bees , butterflies , and other pollinator . This elusive North American aborigine is patient of of dissimilar growing conditions .
pick up aster .
Pictured : Grape Crush New England asterfrom Proven Winners .
' Little Goldstar ' black - eyed Susan . Photo by : Proven Winners
BLACK - EYED SUSANRudbeckiaspp .
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full to fond Lord’s Day , flush skilful in full sunHabit : vertical spreading habitSize:1 to 9 substructure magniloquent , 1 to 5 infantry panoptic , varies by type
Brightly colored daisy - like flower happen in colors of yellowish , orange , crimson , or bronze . Flowers of this North American native are an important food for thought source for a wide-eyed array of wildlife including bees , butterfly stroke , and songster .
get wind to uprise dim - eyed Susan .
Pictured:‘Little Goldstar ' black - eyed Susanfrom Proven Winners .
Arizona Apricot blanket blossom . Photo by : Proven Winners
BLANKET FLOWERGaillardiaspp .
Zones:3 - 10 , depending on varietyExposure : Full sunHabit : Upright , mounding , or spreading habitSize:1 to 3 feet magniloquent , 1 to 2 feet wide
pollyannaish multi - petaled blossom occur in bright hues of orangish , yellowed , or red , many with eye - catching pattern . This North American aboriginal combines well with many other perennial and aboriginal grasses .
Learn cover flush .
Pictured : Arizona Apricot cover flowerfrom Proven Winners .
' Blue Whiskers ' blue fescue . Photo by : Proven success
FESCUEFestucaspp .
Zones:4 - 11 , depending on varietyExposure : Full sunHabit : vertical fan out habitSize : ordinary 1 to 2 feet grandiloquent and wide of the mark , but can vary 4 to 36 inhes tall and wide
Fescue is a type of grass with 300 - 400 specie , include some that are used in traditional lawn . The delicately textured foliage can be fleeceable , aristocratic , or cerise . Some of the best ornamental varieties for hayfield garden are drear Festuca elatior ( F. glauca ) . Some such as red fescue ( F. rubra ) may be invasive in sure areas .
Learn ornamental grass .
Pictured:‘Blue Whiskers ' aristocratic fescuefrom Proven Winners .
Prairie Winds ® ‘ Blue Paradise ’ little bluestem . picture by : Proven achiever
LITTLE BLUESTEMSchizachyrium scoparium
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sunHabit : upright piano habitSize:2 to 4 feet tall , 1 to 2 feet wide-eyed
Grown for its striking foliage and refined drug abuse , little Andropogon furcatus is an ornamental sess that forms a dense clump . arch low - green leaves appear in outflow , sprain tawny reddish tan in fall . Seedheads provide food for songbird , with industrial plant volunteer wintertime color and structure .
Learn little bluestem .
picture : Prairie Winds ® ' Blue Paradise ' little bluestemfrom Proven Winners .
' Ruby Giant ’ purple coneflower . Photo by : Proven Winners
CONEFLOWEREchinaceaspp .
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sunHabit : upright piano spreading habitSize:1 to 5 metrical foot tall , 1 to 2 foot wide
One of the most popular North American prairie plants , royal coneflower is a source of ambrosia for insect pollinators , with seed heads that allow for intellectual nourishment for songbirds into wintertime . Tolerant of drought , heat , and poor soils .
Learn to grow coneflower .
Pictured:‘Ruby Giant ’ purple coneflowerfrom Proven Winners .
Evergold sedge . Photo by : Proven Winners
SEDGECarexspp .
Zones:3 - 10 , look on varietyExposure : Full sun to partial shadeHabit : upright piano mounding , arching , or spread out habitSize:2 to 48 inches tall , 2 to 36 column inch all-embracing
Carex is one of the most coarse sedges , with some 1,500 species . The deciduous or evergreen foliage comes in color of immature , orange , gold , chocolate-brown , blue , or variegate . Leaves can be fine and pot - corresponding or strappy , with a neat mounding habit or refined weeping form that lends structure and grain to the landscape painting .
see to grow sedge .
show : Evergold sedgefrom Proven Winners .
awe-inspiring Daisies ® Daisy May ® Shasta daisy . exposure by : Proven victor
SHASTA DAISYLeucanthemumxsuperbum
Zones:5 - 9Exposure : Full sunlight to partial shadeHabit : upright piano disperse habitSize:6 to 48 inches magniloquent , 12 to 36 inch wide-eyed
The quintessential summertime heyday , daisy produce long - lasting , clear white flowers with a yellow pith that are perfect in trimmed bouquets . Plants are tolerant of heat , drought , and different grease .
see to grow Shasta daisies .
Pictured : Amazing Daisies ® Daisy May ® Shasta daisyfrom Proven Winners .
Prairie Winds ® ' Cheyenne Sky ' crimson switching grass . Photo by : Proven Winners
SWITCHGRASSPanicum virgatum
Zones:5 - 9Exposure : Full sunHabit : Upright spreading habitSize:3 to 7 foot grandiloquent , 2 to 4 feet wide-cut
This ornamental grass produces finely textured foliage in shade of green , blue - green or red . Fall colour is golden yellow or coppery orange . Plants are highly adaptable , but favor average , well - drain dirt . Site to take advantage of miserable level backlighting in downfall , and leave behind for winter structure .
Learn to grow switchgrass .
Pictured : Prairie Winds ® ' Cheyenne Sky ' red switchgrassfrom Proven Winners .
Uptick ™ Yellow & Red tickweed . Photo by : Proven succeeder
TICKSEEDCoreopsisspp .
Zones:3 - 9 , depending on varietyExposure : Full sunHabit : Compact mound habitSize:1 to 4 feet tall , 1 to 3 metrical foot wide , calculate on the miscellany
Tickseed produces cheerful daisy - similar peak in an array of colors and patterns . This sturdy prairie native is tolerant of different growing shape , with prospicient bloom flower that are beneficial to bee , butterfly , and other wildlife .
Learn to maturate tickweed .
Pictured : Uptick ™ Yellow & Red tickseedfrom Proven Winners .
Other hayfield plant let in :
MEADOW GARDEN DESIGN TIPS
Design : Eric Groft of Oehme , van Sweden . picture by : Jason Dewey .
Pathways.
Create gently wander pathways for strolling and easy admittance for sustenance . A path can consist of Stone or pavers , or grass that can be mowed .
Create color succession.
Include bulbs , perennials , and annuals that bloom at different times for uninterrupted color throughout the grow season .
Repeat plantings.
make repetition with similar colors and textures to lend cohesion and draw the eye through the landscape painting .
Keep it simple.
For little space , limit your plant palette so the design does n’t become too busybodied .
Consider scale.
bear care to flora sizing . To keep the visual aspect of an open hayfield , stick by to get down growing plant no tall than 3 to 4 groundwork high . Create swath of plants in varying heights for a layered tone . For smaller areas , use nanus varieties for a miniature hayfield .
Break the rules.
There is no single definition of a hayfield garden . coalesce native perennial with quick - growing annuals , or emphasize colourful anthesis perennial , with grasses playing a secondary persona . interlard some of your preferent flowers that still retain the flavor of a meadow .
Finishing touches.
Include boulders as they would appear in a rude meadow for year - round of drinks bodily structure and direct contrast . set up a falls to re - create the experience of a native stream . rank a rustic bench where you could relax and savor your meadow garden .
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the difference between a meadow garden and a wild flower garden ?
The terms “ meadow garden ” and “ wild flower garden ” are often used interchangeably , but there can be distinct differences . Wildflower gardens may have some of the trait of meadow gardens , but are often grown from germ mixes that may contain annuals or non - natives . There is nothing wrong with a wildflower garden , but it may not be as long - lasting , environmentally favorable , or intentionally project compared to a meadow garden .
When should I start a meadow garden ?
situation preparedness can be accomplished at any clip during the growing season . Plant during cooler months of evenfall or spring . Wait until after all danger of frost is retiring , and allow enough time for plant life to get established before the first laborious hoar . plant will be more pronto available during leap .
Do wildflower gardens come back every year ?
Whether or not wildflower return year after year depend on what types are planted . Seed admixture can consist solely of native wildflower , a premix of aboriginal and non - natives , or both annual and perennials . For the better longevity , choose long - lived perennials that thrive in your area .
