My photo of a meadow on Martha's VineyardThe New York Times highlights the hard work that goes into creating a perennial meadow and speaks with Larry Weaner of Larry Weaner Landscape Design Associates about the process. Weaner has been designing meadows for over two decades and is the founder of New Directions in the American Landscape, a nonprofit. Weaner explains that a newly planted meadow will take years to mature and “is not a thing of beauty in its first year.” With proper planning, preparation, upkeep, and patience it can become one though, as the photos that accompany the article can attest.

My mother designed and created a meadow in her backyard around the time Weaner began to study them in the early 80’s. Her meadow was a lush mix of hardy blooms and field grasses, billowing beyond the increasingly smaller area of lawn near the house. Though it probably occupied less than an acre, when you wandered through her meadow you were sure it was larger. It felt wild, free, and exhilarating. I’d like to create a meadow too; wouldn't you?

by Katie Hutchison for the House Enthusiast