Lawns are so last decade. Modern sustainability families focus on adding areas to the home that better blend with nature, are lower maintenance, and add a touch of beauty. Our tastes have evolved from rigid and homogenous lawns to the beauty of a natural and diverse meadowscape. Here’s how you can make that happen for your home (HOA dependent).
WHAT IS A MEADOWSCAPE?
Allowing for a wide range of plants within its definition, American Meadows defines the term, meadowscaping as “the process of envisioning and cultivating a naturalistic planting to change our lives, yards, and worlds for the better.” Popular website Yardzen focuses on the term as a yard that, “primarily utilizes native grasses and wildflowers to emulate the traits exhibited by natural meadows and grasslands,” while Better Homes and Gardens notes, “Meadowscaping uses flowers and grasses to create a wild and beautiful meadow-like aesthetic that has several ecological benefits.”
However you define it, the concept of meadowscaping is essentially to plant a diverse range of eco- and animal-friendly flowers and grasses that emulate a meadow, rather than your typical lawn in an urban environment.
BENEFITS
One of the biggest benefits of a meadowscape is the limited maintenance required to own and maintain a meadow spot. Much of the work is “front-loaded” into establishing the plot and allowing your plantings to mature. After establishing the area, upkeep does not require mowing and only needs minimal weeding. You might have to occasionally water your meadow depending on the weather or to support new plantings. Annually, there may be a need to replace plants that have been physically damaged by harsh weather conditions or road salts; however, many native plants popular in meadowscapes will regrow and bloom year after year.
Environmentally, meadowscapes are a more friendly choice for pollinators—simply put, more flowers, more bees. Meadows will typically attract more wildlife of all types, creating a space of both food and shelter for local bugs and creatures. Since native plants are a primary feature of meadowscapes, these plantings typically better utilise available water as they are well-suited to that natural environment. The plants will often require less support in hot weather and droughts and be more hardy than other non-native species.
Meadowscapes are a popular choice for hard-to-mow areas like banks and inclines. These dense plantings help create a root structure that prevents harmful soil erosion and promotes healthy soil. When starting a meadowscape, begin with wildflowers that are affordable as opposed to larger plants; all it takes is a little more patience to allow the plants to mature.
TYPES OF MEADOWSCAPES
There are many varieties of meadowscapes. Some people prefer a grassier look, while others wish to create a flowerbed that matches a certain height or colour palette. Most recommendations will include creating a mix of both grasses and flowers.
Many nurseries create custom mixes for meadowscapes, so you can simply buy seed packets that match your area and hardiness zone. If you’d like to assemble your own mix, some popular choices include:
- Self-heal (prunella vulgaris)
- Maiden clover (Trifolium microcephalum)
- Chamisso sedge (Carex pachystachya)
- Prairie junegrass (Koeleria macrantha)
- Golden aster (Heterotheca villosa)
- Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
- Yaak yarrow (Achillea millefolium var. yaak)
- Creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
This list is by no means exhaustive—it’s simply a starter suggestion. Other ways to customise your meadowscape include the concept of chaos gardening versus ordered planting, one designed to attract specific pollinators, or choosing plants specifically based on their blooming seasons.
GROWING YOUR MEADOWSCAPE
While meadowscapes are applauded for their limited maintenance, you’ll have to do a bit more than just throw wildflowers in any old place. Wildflowers will struggle to compete with grasses and weeds unless the area is first cleared and prepared. Remove sod or till the soil as you would with most traditional plant beds—loosen roots and remove weeds before adding new plants. If this is not an option, you may wish to just overseed with clover as an alternative.
Take the time to choose the right plants. Not all wildflowers are suitable for all environments, so make sure you look for area-specific varieties designed for your climate and planting zone. Some people collect native species themselves or find them at local seed exchanges. You can visit your local garden center and search for native plants there as well. If none of these options are available, check online from a reputable seller, and make sure to match the right plants for your needs so that you can avoid invasive species or potentially toxic ornamentals.
Consider creating a meadowscape for low-maintenance beauty around your home while supporting local wildlife with native plants and flowers. Take the time to prepare and research before you begin your plantings; once it’s established and growing, don’t forget to grab your camera and enjoy.
