Meadow Sanctuary

The trend toward environmentally friendly landscapes in Southern California continues to amaze me. Planting native grasses and waterwise perennials, also called  meadowscaping, is beneficial to local wildlife, requiring minimal water when compared to a traditional turfgrass lawn. Keep in mind, a typical Meadow Sanctuary requires a decent-size property. I often observe modified meadow gardens in smaller, restrictive front yards and parkways where the scale of the grasses and perennial shrubs are not appropriate. The appeal of a well-designed Meadow Sanctuary with the sweeping masses of native grasses, ornamental grasses and perennials that attract birds and insects is undeniable.

Meadow Sanctuary Elements: The Meadow Sanctuary begins at the edge of the hardscape areas, patio and pathways, and must begin with a low plant material along borders. Plants increase in height toward the back of area, typically against a structure, a wall or a fence. Patios can be a formal or informal shape, as can the paths and walkways.

The best hardscape materials are exposed-aggregate concrete, permeable pavers, decomposed granite, and decorative pebbles. Bird baths, butterfly puddling stones, hummingbird and wild bird feeders are a mainstay of the meadow landscape. Rain Gardens, a depression in the meadow area soil allowing for water percolation, is an excellent design feature and is one of the mandatory elements for obtaining rebates from water districts in Southern California.

Meadow Sanctuary Plants: One goal of meadowscaping is to replace the traditional turfgrass lawn with a hierarchy of low to tall grasses, as well as, low to tall perennial shrubs. As stated above, the Meadow Sanctuary begins at the edge of the hardscape areas, the patio and pathways, and plants must begin with a low plant material along borders and increase in height toward the back of plants, typically against a wall or a fence. I often recommend a mix of 60%-65% native and ornamental grasses with 35-40% flowering perennials.

Native grass species require the least care from homeowners and gardeners to succeed.

Plant selections include: Bouteloua gracilis, Schizachyrium scoparium, Panicum virgatum, Silvergrass, Lomandra, Fountain Grass, Cape Rush, Pink Muhly Grass, Penstemon, Salvia, Artemisia, and Blue Fescue.

Grass seed mixes are available at Tree of Life Nursery (San Juan Capistrano). Their Meadow Mix is excellent. American Meadows also offers many mixes at their website under “Southwest Wildflower Seeds”.