We’ve been busy all spring and summer bringing the Meadow Border Renovation to life, and we’re almost finished! Just a handful of special plants—available in September—remain to be added. Once they’re in the ground, the renovation will officially be complete.

The trees and shrubs went in during early spring, but many of the smaller perennials and groundcovers became available only a few at a time between April and June. We also received a wonderful gift in June from the horticulturists at Denver Botanic Garden, who generously shared several plants they had grown especially for us. These included the hard-to-find hokubetsi, a beautiful silvery South African shrub, and one of our favorite penstemons, Grand Mesa penstemon. Thank you, Denver Botanic Garden!

After our last April freeze, the mild but erratic spring quickly gave way to very hot, dry weather. As new plants became available, we tucked them into the ground right away, carefully planting and irrigating each one. We even turned one of our planting days into a learning opportunity, when Linda led a public workshop in the Meadow Border, “How to Plant Something”.

The final step in the renovation was mulching the planting beds. Mulch helps reduce erosion, conserve soil moisture, and moderate soil temperatures, while giving the garden a finished appearance. We selected different mulches for different environmental and aesthetic purposes.

On the open, sunny north side of the border, we used gravel mulch to help keep the crowns of drought-loving plants, such as penstemons and salvias, dry. After carefully checking that each plant sat at the proper grade—with the crown level with the surrounding soil—we spread gravel in a mix of sizes to create a softer, more natural appearance than a single-size stone.

On the south side, where the planting palette includes species that appreciate slightly richer conditions, we applied a mulch of wood chips and compost. Over time, this mulch will add organic matter to the soil while complementing the softer, grassy character of the Meadow Bowl.

Since the first planting changes began in February, the Meadow Border has been transformed into a garden filled with color, texture, and seasonal interest. Even now, the young plants are beginning to grow in, softening the landscape and revealing the design we imagined months ago. From graceful native maples to evergreen groundcovers, from airy autumn grasses to vibrant flowering perennials, we hope this garden will delight visitors and pollinators alike for many years to come.

Although this blog series is coming to an end, the Meadow Border’s story is just beginning. As the plants grow, mature, and surprise us through the seasons, we look forward to watching the garden grow—and to sharing its beauty with everyone who visits.

Of special note: if you’d like to learn more about the plants we selected for the Meadow Border, please come to our August 21 presentation by Ross Shrigley, friend of SBFBG and director of the Plant Select program. Learn more here. 

Total number of plants planted: 296

Total number of species/cultivars: 54