The Meadow Border Renovation: Time for a Change
After more than a decade, the Meadow Border is ready for reinvention—both horticulturally and artistically. This area, just beyond the Welcome Ramada where visitors pause to meet friends or begin guided tours, is the first space most people encounter in our beautiful Garden.
The plants are in need of rejuvenation and hard editing, as perennials are not always as long-lived as we would like. Many also require more water than is regionally responsible, and are less than perfectly suited to the lean soils and challenging microclimate of these sloping border beds. Most importantly, this space no longer reflects our evolving aspirations for the stories our Garden can tell about the beauty and adaptability of plants suited to life in the arid steppe.
The Meadow Border in 2025
Our Vision
Our vision is to transform this transitional zone into a living tapestry of resilient, waterwise beauty. The reimagined Meadow Border will feature a curated palette of perennials, grasses, and small shrubs, selected not only for their seasonal interest and habitat value, but for their ability to thrive in Santa Fe’s demanding conditions. With striking foliage, vivid blooms, and sculptural seedheads, these plants will offer dynamic beauty from spring through winter, reinforcing the idea that ornamental gardening in arid climates can be both sustainable and spectacular. We will also stabilize the slope with carefully placed boulders, echoing the Garden’s overall design aesthetic while adding sculptural interest that speaks to the Santa Fe vernacular architecture of stone walls and boulder highlights.
This renovation is made possible through donations honoring the life of Marian Rae Haight. Marian was a beloved volunteer and dedicated member of the Garden community, known for her warmth and enthusiasm. Whether she was deadheading roses, decorating for the holidays, or planting seedlings, her joy and commitment were evident in everything she did. She is deeply missed, and we are sincerely grateful to all who have contributed to this project in her memory.
What to Expect
Design work began taking place on March 18, 2026, led by Santa Fe Botanical Garden staff, in consultation with horticulturists closely associated with Plant Select. Site preparation is the first step, with the removal of aging groundcovers and outdated irrigation. The soil will then be amended with high-quality compost to improve structure and microbial activity, creating a healthy soil palette alive with potential for new plantings. We will retain and integrate existing trees and shrubs that contribute to the new design, while phasing in fresh plantings through summer 2026.
Director of Horticulture Linda Churchill designing the new Meadow Border
A Glimpse into the Future
In keeping with the Garden’s aesthetic, we will incorporate locally sourced stone and a selection of striking boulders, both to manage grade and to provide visual rhythm. These elements will also introduce the suggestion of a possible future rock garden adjacent to the Meadow Border.
The Border and Our Mission
At its heart, this project reflects the mission of the Santa Fe Botanical Garden to celebrate, cultivate, and conserve the biodiversity of our region. But it also speaks directly to the core values of ornamental horticulture, crafting spaces that inspire through beauty, foster emotional connection, and deepen our understanding of plants and place.
We see the newly reimagined border not only as a horticultural upgrade, but as a living demonstration of what gardening in the Southwest can become: surprisingly rich, artful, regionally expressive, and in harmony with nature. Through interpretive signage, tours, classes, and self-guided experiences, we will invite visitors to see their own landscapes with new eyes—and leave with both inspiration and practical knowledge for creating resilient, ornamental gardens of their own.
