In the article Designing a Stylized Meadow (Fine Gardening #209), garden designer Jay Sifford takes readers through the steps he used to turn a sloped front yard into a lush, naturalized garden in just a few short years. After purchasing a piece of property in the mountains of North Carolina, Jay soon discovered that the septic system for his yet-to-be-built home would need to be put in the front yard due to wetland restrictions. As a result, dozens of trees had to be removed. The challenge was a welcome one, as Jay had never owned a full-sun garden, even though he had designed several of them for clients over the years. It seemed that a meadow filled with plants with shallow root systems that would not grow into septic drain lines was the most appropriate and ecologically responsible way to proceed; however, Jay hesitated because many created meadows look messy.

Instead, he set out to build a landscape that was eye-catching and cohesive—something that was pleasing to the eye year-round. Additionally, he wanted a garden that was attractive to birds and pollinating insects. With lots of contemplation, Jay decided he wanted a “stylized meadow.” After laying out the plan for the garden, Jay dove into plant selection and placement. The following is a list of native and ornamental species that make up the bulk of the perennials, trees, and shrubs that have taken root in his garden. The array is a beautiful blend that looks good during all 12 months.

See a Video Tour of this Garden

Get a behind-the-scenes tour of a beautiful mountain landscape.

Traditional vs. Stylized Meadow Gardens

Learn more about the differences between a stylized meadow and a traditional meadow design.

Photo #1 (photo above)

1. ‘Purple Flame’ blue flag iris (Iris versicolor ‘Purple Flame’, Zones 3–9)
2. ‘Glauca Prostrata’ blue spruce (Picea pungens ‘Glauca Prostrata’, Zones 3–7)
3. ‘Zagreb’ coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata ‘Zagreb’, Zones 3–9)
4. Rozanne geranium (Geranium ‘Gerwat’, Zones 5–8)
5. ‘Karley Rose’ fountain grass (Pennisetum orientale ‘Karley Rose’, Zones 5–9)
6. ‘Orange Rocket’ barberry (Berberis thunbergii ‘Orange Rocket’, Zones 4–9)
7. ‘White Swan’ coneflower (Echinacea purpurea ‘White Swan’, Zones 3–8)
8. ‘Fukuzumi’ Japanese white pine (Pinus parviflora ‘Fukuzumi’, Zones 5–7)
9. Mountain mint (Pycnanthemum muticum, Zones 4–8)
10. ‘Phantom’ panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Phantom’, Zones 3–9)
11. ‘Horstmann’s Silberlocke’ Korean fir (Abies koreana ‘Horstmann’s Silberlocke’, Zones 5–7)
12. ‘Oregon Green’ Austrian pine (Pinus nigra ‘Oregon Green’, Zones 4–8)
13. ‘Blue Dune’ lyme grass (Leymus arenarius ‘Blue Dune’, Zones 4–9)
14. Panther^® ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius ‘N5’, Zones 3–8)
15. ‘Bonny Blue’ Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens ‘Bonny Blue’, Zones 3–8)
16. ‘Karl Foerster’ feather reed grass (Calamagrostis × acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’, Zones 4–7)

Photo #2

1. Rozanne geranium (Geranium ‘Gerwat’, Zones 5–8)
2. Weeping white spruce (Picea glauca ‘Pendula’, Zones 2–7)
3. ‘Karley Rose’ fountain grass (Pennisetum orientale ‘Karley Rose’, Zones 5–9)
4. ‘Helga’ Austrian pine (Pinus nigra ‘Helga’, Zones 3–7)
5. Heather (Calluna cv., Zones 4–7)
6. Dwarf balsam fir (Abies balsamea ‘Nana’, Zones 3–6)
7. ‘Zafiro’ blue spruce (Picea pungens ‘Zafiro’, Zones 3–7)
8. Phenomenal^® lavender (Lavandula intermedia ‘Niko’, Zones 5–9)
9. Blazing star (Liatris spicata, Zones 3–9)
10. ‘Bonny Blue’ Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens ‘Bonny Blue’, Zones 3–8)
11. ‘Karl Foerster’ feather reed grass (Calamagrostis × acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’, Zones 4–7)
12. ‘North Star’ white spruce (Picea glauca ‘North Star’, Zones 2–7)
13. ‘Oregon Green’ Austrian pine (Pinus nigra ‘Oregon Green’, Zones 4–8)

Photos: Danielle Sherry

To see more of Jay’s garden, check out his Garden Photo of the Day submissions:

• Jay’s Garden in the Mountains
• Jay’s Garden in the Mountains: Part 2
• Summer in Jay’s Garden

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

DeWalt Variable-Speed Cordless Reciprocating Saw with 6-Piece Saw Blade Set

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

You can fit a variety of blades to this saw to cut fallen branches or prune larger limbs from trees in a pinch. It’s fast, tough, easy to use, and extremely versatile.
- 18.31 x 6.13 x 4 inches
- 1-1/8-inch stroke length
- Variable speed trigger with 0-3000 spm
- DW4856 Metal/Woodcutting Reciprocating Saw Blade Set, 6-Piece

Buy at Amazon

Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil.

Buy at Amazon

Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden, Revised and Updated Second Edition: A Natural Approach to Pest Control

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

This revised and updated edition of Jessica Walliser’s award-winning Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden offers a valuable and science-backed plan for bringing balance back to the garden. With this indispensable gardening reference—now updated with new research, insights, and voices—learn how to create a healthy, balanced, and diverse garden capable of supporting a hard-working crew of beneficial pest-eating insects and eliminate the need for synthetic chemical pesticides.

Buy at Amazon