Category Archives: Meadows

Meadows and Lawns

Wildflower meadows contrast beautifully with formal lawns

Areas and strips of meadow

Mien Ruys Grass and Meadows Rows or areas of wildflower meadows within a lawn look very attractive when there is fresh growth and new flowers. The beautiful gardens of Mien Ruys in Holland have some great examples of strips and rectangles of meadows which contrast with similar shapes of lawn and grass.  Shown here is a very simple geometric grouping of trees, clipped hedges and unusual sculptures set off by lawns and wildflowers.

 

Mien Ruys Geranium phaem and wildflowers This band of wildflowers in the Mien Ruys gardens is augmented by the dark Geranium phaem.  Adding a few flowers into what naturally self-seeds can work well and give a character to suit your own garden. It can also prolong the season of interest and provides extra colour and variety.  Parts of the grass lawn become  paths between meadow areas.

 

Meadow and Grass Kerry Marine GardenIn the large area of grass garden backing onto this hillside in Kerry, Ireland, areas and strips of meadow as shown here add interest for minimum effort.  When the flowers are past their best, they can be mowed down and new areas of wildflowers created as later flowering types emerge.

 

Wildflower Row and Grass PathThis strip of wildflowers in the Kerry garden is about a metre wide and a grass path is created between it and the next area of meadow. Buttercups, red and white clover and purple-blue self heal are all very common wlidflowers in lawns in Britain and Ireland. Why not let them grow in selective areas like this.  It makes for more creative mowing and is a low cost, low maintenance and effective way of creating an interesting garden