The Joys and Challenges of Establishing and Maintaining a Meadow Garden

News Article: Woodland Sage Blooms in Bruce Lockhart’s Meadow

June 21, 2023 at 7:00 a.m. EDT

In Petersham, Massachusetts, Bruce Lockhart has created a stunning meadow on his 10,000-square-foot property. The meadow, which features the beautiful Woodland Sage (Salvia nemorosa ‘May Night’), has become a focal point of Lockhart’s landscape.

Lockhart’s journey to creating this meadow began in 2010 when he was looking for a solution to a rocky septic field on his 87-acre property. He decided to try establishing a meadow in the area, consulting with garden designer Gordon Hayward for guidance. Lockhart spent six months removing weeds from the site before planting 1,600 one-gallon containers of perennials and biennials, including the Woodland Sage.

The meadow flourished for two years, but Lockhart soon faced challenges. Weeds, particularly witch grass, invaded the area, requiring regular weeding to maintain the meadow’s beauty. Some plants, such as meadow sages, yarrow, and Turkish sage, disappeared over time, while others like ironweed, New England aster, threadleaf bluestar, Culver’s root, and coneflower self-seeded and increased their presence. Lockhart also increased the proportion of ornamental grasses in the meadow to 15 to 20 percent.

Lockhart’s experience is not unique. Other meadow owners, like Sheila Perrin in Westchester County, New York, have faced similar challenges with weeds but remain dedicated to their meadows. Perrin has even expanded her meadow’s footprint, replacing a section of lawn with low-growing ornamental grasses. Meadows, while not maintenance-free, require less attention than traditional flower beds.

Landscape architect Jamie Purinton has found success in converting agricultural fields, removing sod from lawns, or utilizing newly disturbed land for meadow conversions. She recommends seeding prepared beds with a native wildflower/grass mix and using small plug liners of native plants for a curated result

How did landscape architect Jamie Purinton recommend creating an engaging and visually appealing meadow

Article: Woodland Sage Blooms in Bruce Lockhart’s Meadow

June 21, 2023 at 7:00 a.m. EDT

Bruce Lockhart, a resident of Petersham, Massachusetts, has transformed his property into a breathtaking meadow that showcases the beauty of Woodland Sage (Salvia nemorosa ‘May Night’). This meadow has become the centerpiece of Lockhart’s landscape, captivating the attention of all who see it.

Lockhart embarked on his journey to create this meadow in 2010 when he needed a solution for a rocky septic field on his 87-acre property. Seeking guidance, he consulted with garden designer Gordon Hayward, who helped him establish the meadow. Lockhart dedicated six months to meticulously remove weeds from the site before planting 1,600 one-gallon containers of various perennials and biennials, including the enchanting Woodland Sage.

Initially, the meadow flourished for two years, but Lockhart soon encountered challenges. Weeds, particularly witch grass, invaded the area, requiring regular weeding to maintain the meadow’s allure. Some plant species, such as meadow sages, yarrow, and Turkish sage, diminished over time. On the other hand, plants like ironweed, New England aster, threadleaf bluestar, Culver’s root, and coneflower propagated on their own, gradually increasing their presence. To enhance the meadow’s aesthetics, Lockhart also introduced a higher proportion of ornamental grasses, comprising 15 to 20 percent of the overall composition.

Lockhart’s experiences resonate with other meadow owners, including Sheila Perrin from Westchester County, New York. She has faced similar challenges with weeds but remains dedicated to her meadow. In fact, Perrin has expanded her meadow’s size by replacing a section of her lawn with low-growing ornamental grasses. While meadows do require some maintenance, they generally demand less attention than traditional flower beds.

Landscape architect Jamie Purinton has achieved success in converting agricultural fields, removing sod from lawns, and utilizing newly disturbed land for meadow conversions. Her recommendation involves seeding prepared beds with a mix of native wildflowers and grasses. Additionally, Purinton suggests using small plug liners of native plants for a curated result that creates a more engaging and visually appealing meadow.

In conclusion, Bruce Lockhart’s creation of a picturesque meadow featuring Woodland Sage highlights the beauty that can be achieved through careful planning and maintenance. While challenges such as weed invasion and the fluctuation of different plant species exist, the dedication of meadow owners like Lockhart and Perrin showcases the enduring allure of these natural landscapes.