Well Izzy, I live in SE Wis., so different climate altogether. However, many prairie plants do well all over the US. I love my staggered row of Prairie Smoke, also known as plumed avens. Its low, has lovely foliage, and stays green, tolerates poor soil and drought. Also love cone flower, both pink and yellow, and filipendula, 'Queen of the prairie. Of course, Liatris and asters are winners too.

In many cities and townships, one has to get permission to have a yard that is 'wild'. New meadow gardens look pretty scruffy for at least 2/3 years. I like to see grass or stone pathways thru any garden, with sitting spots and some highlights.

Small trees, like Serviceberry, that feeds birds are natural additives, along with smaller blue colored evergreens and burgundy colored shrubs and plants.

The magazine Fine Gardening, has done an article or two about this subject. Check at your local library.
Best of luck, and thanks for going the natural route. Pondy

Check out Wild Ones Handbook...

And yes, in a small site, its best to clump like plants together for a mass visual, else they get lost in the mix.

Here is a link that might be useful: Wild ones Handbook

izzy27:

Just came across this subject area. I'm a hort student at North Metro Technical College, just north of Atlanta. I've studied the use of meadow/prairie plantings in residential landscaping. Have you made any decisions? Are you thinking of a tall grass meadow or short grass meadow?

boone423
I am north of Charlotte and am trying to plan a meadow for a small area in our walking park. What qualifies as short grass meadow? That would be what I have in mind.