I counted nine eastern bluebirds (Sialia sialis) in the meadow today. Some are lined up on the fence, some are up in the pines, and every few seconds one swoops down into the meadow to hunt and flies back up.
There is no lawn back there anymore. The whole backyard is Florida native plants, mostly meadow. The meadow itself has more than 20 species.
I started the project over ten years ago because I wanted to opt out of the conventional lawn. We live near Lake Apopka, which is still recovering from decades of pollution caused by poor agricultural practices. If I can make even a small change that keeps toxic chemicals out of the environment, I want to make it. I also wanted to create habitat for wildlife we share space with. Pollinators and other wildlife have evolved over time to have a relationship with our native flora, and I wanted to nurture that.
Eastern bluebirds (Sialia sialis) foraging in the meadow
Eastern tiger swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) on blazing star (Liatris sp.)
Our backyard meadow with a wooded conservation easement in the background that borders Lake Apopka in Central Florida.
The plant palette
When I design a meadow, much of my thinking goes into the plant palette: a mix of species that suits both the site and the long term goals. For me, that meant diversity that would endure. Layout matters too, considering each plant's sociability: whether it's adapted to grow as a solitary individual or in drifts and colonies. About three years in, I could see a couple of my early choices were too prolific for this small space, so I did some editing and reined them in.
Florida false sunflower (Phoebanthus grandiflorus) in the foreground and Rolfs' milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa subsp. rolfsii) in the background are two of the more than 20 species in our backyard meadow.
Two slash pines (Pinus elliottii) and a red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) in the background provide places for birds to roost, nest and find insects. Wild buckwheat (Eriogonum tomentosum) along a path in the foreground.
A pathway next to the meadow, mulched with needles from the slash pines (Pinus elliottii).
A few favorites
You'll probably recognize many of the plants in these photos, like blazing star (Liatris), bee balm (Monarda), and dropseed (Sporobolus). Here are a few that may be less familiar that I've loved having in my meadow over the years.
Rayless sunflower (Helianthus radula) is naturally occurring in moist conditions but is pretty adaptable. It's in the sunflower family, but it typically doesn’t have the yellow ray florets and is all dark disc: a dense head of dark purple-black disc florets. The dark blooms stand out beautifully against the grasses. They're busy with pollinators, and I've seen American goldfinches (Spinus tristis) eating the seeds in winter.
The dark mahogany blooms of rayless sunflower (Helianthus radula) stand out against the grasses in the meadow.
Maryland golden aster (Chrysopsis mariana) is another favorite among wildlife. I often add it to a mixed wildflower planting. Its flower stalks are stiff and upright, which adds structure and helps hold up the wildflowers growing near it. It blooms in late October and early November, the same time as eastern silver aster (Symphyotrichum concolor), so I like to plant the two together.
Maryland golden aster (Chrysopsis mariana) in the foreground. Its stiff, upright stalks add structure to the meadow before it blooms in late October and early November.
A ceraunus blue butterfly (Hemiargus ceraunus) nectars on eastern silver aster (Symphyotrichum concolor), which typically blooms in late October and November.
Designed wildness
As things grow, the plants participate in shaping the meadow. A meadow is designed wildness: whatever layout you start with, the plants will shift around over the years. Stewarding a meadow involves listening to your intuition, editing as it goes, and filling gaps that may develop. You don’t have to micromanage it, but it does require care and curation. Stewardship and editing are what kept my own meadow diverse.
Thoughtful planning of a plant palette depends on anticipating what each plant is likely going to do over time in the site conditions you have. I've learned that from more than ten years of observing these plants in my own meadow and from studying them where they grow wild. I'm always learning. Next year the meadow will look different again, and I'll be out there seeing what it decided to do.
If you'd like a meadow like this, I design, install, and steward native meadows for homes and businesses in Central Florida. I can be reached here.
Thank you for following along! Andrea
References
Florida Wildflower Foundation. Rayless sunflower. Flower Friday, November 6, 2015; updated 2025.
Huegel, Craig. Maryland Goldenaster - Chrysopsis mariana. Native Florida Wildflowers (blog), November 2012.
Huegel, Craig. Eastern silver aster - Symphyotrichum concolor. Native Florida Wildflowers (blog), November 14, 2009.