Today I had a call from a gentleman named Saxon Holt who is working on a book about meadows.

He was driving through—and since at least two people had suggested he visit Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden—he dropped by. I had the pleasure of showing him around the Garden, including an area we have as a meadow.

Saxon is a nationally known garden photographer and writer with many credits to his name. As we chatted about his forthcoming book, I asked him “Why meadows?”

“Meadows are romantic,” he explained. “They’re inviting -- they make you want to sit down and have a picnic.” Saxon went on to say how important meadows are for the ecosystem, how they do take work to maintain, and how some components of a meadow can be used in the home landscape.

What makes a good meadow? Below is some material from a previous issue of the Garden Times newsletter about “Meadow Theory.”

Grasses from the Poaceae family should make up at least fifty percent of a meadow. Their fibrous root system fills out the uppermost layers of the soil, making it difficult for weedier species to get a foothold. Examples: Andropogon virginicus (broom sedge); Panicum virgatum (switch grass).

The next largest group is composite flowers from the Asteraceae family. These plants have long taproots that fill out the lower soil strata and are known for their prolific nectar-producing flowers. Examples: Liatris spicata (gay feather); Silphium perfoliatum (cup plant).

Next is the Scrophulariaceae or figwort family. Mainly temperate perennials, some of these plants are semi-parisitic and take nourishment from roots of host grass plants. Examples: Agalinis purpurea (purple gerardia); Mimulus ringens (Allegheny monkey flower).

Plants from the Asclepiadaceae or milkweed family are also needed. These plants are largely insect pollinated and have highly specialized relationships with their pollinators as host plants. Example: Asclepias syriaca (common milkweed); Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly weed).

Finally, there’s the Fabaceae or pea family. These plants help fix nitrogen in the soil and bear beautiful flowers. Example: Baptisia australis (false indigo).

What do you think? Are you ready to turn your front (or back) yard into a meadow?

Beth Monroe is public relations director at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.

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