Here at HollyHedge, we have been slowing our wheels… our lawn mower wheels. We have made a point of growing our grasses longer, giving more time between mows and we couldn’t be happier with the results.
Interested in biodiversity & helping our native species along, the unmowed ranges have really started to boast a beautiful array of grasses and flowers, highlighting each one at different times of the years. The spring lawns brought forth blooms of bluets & spring beauties nestled in shaded mossy grasses while violets jumped out for the sun in our open spaces.
A little later, the heal-all bloomed in the open sun too.
Blue-eyed grasses flowered (tiny blue flowers atop their short stems),
followed by deptford pinks, scattered across the property.
Even a healthy colony of wild strawberries have cropped up, nestled in the long grasses that will become our summer meadows.
The spring rains give way to summer sun & the meadows show that they have matured. Repeated years (this is our third year) of letting the grasses grow have helped the various species become truly established.
Beard-tongues & ox eye daisies have spread, cropping up in new places.
The grasses are thicker and taller, creating the right environment for new native species to move in.
Milkweed & false sunflowers have made their first appearance on the property this year and its only June! We look forward to black-eyed susans, trefoils and tick seeds.
The benefits of our long grass & meadow project is many fold; we are contributing to our goals of sustainability by decreasing gas consumption, increasing biodiversity & wildlife habitat on the property, & reducing soil erosion & water runoff. Our grassy endevours also contribute to our constant aim of making Holly Hedge a spectacular setting for weddings. In addition to the gardens & ponds, towering trees, & historic stone buildings, the meadows now offer visitors yet another blissful setting to fondly remember a special day.
