Exuberant botanical abundance defines this little ‘homestead,’ situated on nutrient-rich clay soil adjacent to the Central Experimental Farm. It is a place where people, plants and creatures are all welcomed.

The first phase of the project introduced a curated meadow community of native and non-native perennials, grasses, shrubs, small trees to the backyard, all bound by a linear frame of cut stone curbing. Phase two of the project took the plantings into the side and front yard through meandering grass paths with destinations to sit and entertain.  Across the driveway, the formal structure of trellises, arches and raised productive beds complement and balance the curved borders in the front yard meadow.  Spring bulbs and self-sowing annuals, such as cosmos, add to the bountiful blooms. Continuous floral resources and larval host plants draw pollinators in numbers.

The homeowner expresses her delight in the early spring to near winter experience of each season’s unique and beautiful abundance:
“The multi season interest feels rich and inspiring!”  
“I have a sense of multidimensional purpose in the plantings in that they are valued by humans as well as environmentally minded and supportive of beneficial insects, birds and other wildlife.”

The children have come to know and name the creatures who visit their patch, easily rhyming off the importance of the interconnected relationships of pollinators, beneficial insects and host and food source plants.  “Mom, you HAVE to see this! Come!” is frequently exclaimed in excitement and glee as they announce what new plant has popped through the soil, produced a bud or opened a bloom. They delight in making little posies from the floral bounty just naturally as they cross the driveway to graze on fresh picked tomatoes or greens.

What passersby say:
“We changed the route of our daily walk to ensure we always pass by this garden.”
“I love how your garden has always got interesting and beautiful plants to look at in each season!”
“This garden has inspired me to think about how I could enrich my own garden with more native plants.”