Knowledgebase
Meadowizing 1/2 acre #789584
Asked May 06, 2022, 3:08 PM EDT
District of Columbia County District of Columbia
Expert Response
Hi!
It’s wonderful to hear that you have transitioned to an electric mower. And your interest in a native meadow will even further reduce your mowing!
I recommend checking out the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ page on backyard meadows. They not only provide an overview of site preparation, but also suggested plants. Mid-Atlantic Native Meadow guide is another great resource and it goes more in detail on the process.
No buttercups are native to Maryland – many of the plants in the same family, Ranunculaceae are in fact invasive species (Lesser celandine, Fig Buttercup). However, there are many native flowers with beautiful yellow blooms. You can actually search by bloom color under the filters on the Native Plant Center site – click ‘show more filters’.
If you would prefer to have a landscaper install your meadow, a great place to find a qualified professional is by searching for a certified Chesapeake Bay Landscape professional. On their search page, you can filter by type of project, such as conservation landscape with native plants.
Jamie