New Perennial Meadows

There are many native wildflowers that are well-suited for planting in a new perennial meadow in our growing zone (8b). Some of the best wildflower options include:

• Oregon Sunshine (Eriophyllum lanatum) - a perennial wildflower that produces yellow flowers and it's drought tolerant.

• Goldenrod (Solidago sp.) - a perennial wildflower that produces yellow or golden-colored flowers and is attractive to pollinators like bees and butterflies.

• Wild Aster (Symphyotrichum sp.) - a perennial wildflower that produces small, daisy-like flowers in shades of pink, purple, and blue and it's a good source of nectar for pollinators.

• Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) - a perennial wildflower that produces pink or purple flowers, it's also the host plant for monarch butterfly caterpillars.

• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) - a perennial wildflower that produces clusters of small, white or yellow flowers and it's drought tolerant.

• California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) - an annual wildflower that produces orange, yellow or red flowers and is drought tolerant.

It's always best to choose wildflowers that are native to our area, as these will be best adapted to the local conditions and will support our local wildlife.

It's also important to consider the management of the meadow, for example, if the goal is to provide wildlife habitat, some plants might be better suited than others.  We can discuss the wildflower options with you for your new meadow based on your specific goals.

There are many native grasses that are well-suited for planting in a new perennial meadow in our growing zone 8b.  Some of the best options include:

• Blue Wild Rye (Elymus glaucus) - a cool-season grass that forms clumps of blue-gray foliage and is drought-tolerant.

• Tufted Hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa) - a cool-season grass that forms clumps of fine, hair-like leaves and produces delicate, airy flower spikes.

• Creeping Red Fescue (Festuca rubra) - a cool-season grass that forms a dense, low-growing mat of fine, dark green leaves, and is tolerant of a wide range of soils and moisture levels.

• California Oatgrass (Danthonia californica) - a cool-season grass that forms a low-growing tuft of fine, blue-green leaves and produces small, oat-like seed heads.

• Western Blue Grama (Bouteloua gracilis) - a warm-season grass that forms clumps of fine, blue-green foliage and produces small, fluffy seed heads that are good for wildlife and grazing animals.

• Giant Wildrye (Leymus cinereus) - a warm-season grass that forms dense clumps of large, blue-gray leaves and produces large, feathery seed heads.

It's important to note that the specific native grasses that will thrive in a new perennial meadow will depend on the conditions of the site, such as soil type, drainage, sun exposure, and intended management. We can consult with you to understand which specific native grasses will thrive in your location.

There are many native sedges that are well-suited for planting in a new perennial meadow in our growing zone 8b.  Some of the best options include:

• California Oatgrass (Danthonia californica) - a cool-season grass-like plant that forms a low-growing tuft of fine, blue-green leaves, and produces small, oat-like seed heads.

• Western Blue Flag Iris (Iris missouriensis) - a perennial plant that forms clumps of long, narrow leaves and produces spikes of blue, violet or white flowers in spring or summer.

• Northern Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) - a warm-season grass-like plant that forms tufts of narrow, arching leaves and produces delicate, airy seed heads.

• Carex (Carex spp.) - a genus of sedges that includes many species that are native to North America. They are versatile and can be used in different habitats and soil types.

It's important to note that the specific sedges that will thrive in a new perennial meadow will depend on the conditions of the site, such as soil type, drainage, sun exposure, and intended management.  After a site inspection we can help you determine which sedge species will work the best.

Ground cover plants are an important component of a new perennial meadow, as they help to stabilize the soil, control erosion, and provide habitat for wildlife. In growing zone 8b some of the best ground cover plants to consider include:

• Creeping Oregon Grape (Mahonia repens) - a low-growing, evergreen shrub with yellow flowers and blue-black berries that is drought tolerant.

• California Fuchsia (Epilobium canum) - a low-growing perennial with orange-red flowers that blooms in late summer and fall.

• Western Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum) - a evergreen, drought tolerant fern that forms a dense mat of dark green fronds.

• Douglas Iris (Iris douglasiana) - a perennial iris that has blue-purple flowers and is drought tolerant.

• Woodland Strawberry (Fragaria vesca) - a low-growing perennial with small white flowers and red berries that is drought tolerant.

• Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) - a low-growing perennial that forms a mat of fragrant, tiny leaves and small pink or purple flowers.

It's important to note that the specific ground cover plants that will thrive in a new perennial meadow will depend on the conditions of the site, such as soil type, drainage, sun exposure, and intended management.