Lessons From a Volunteer Grassland

Lessons From a Volunteer Grassland

In his latest video, Preston Montague wanders through a plant community that sprang up in the wake of construction grading for development. It will soon be removed and replaced by a predictable, suburban landscape. Not to be overshadowed by impending doom, Preston’s journey is one full of optimism and discovery. Although the site did not start out as a pristine environment, the grassland that emerged teaches us how valuable careful observation can be.

The recently cleared land Preston explores remained fallow and composed of a mix of soils that were heavily compacted. Then came the magic provided by the latent seed bank, and in came the ruderal species that were just waiting for a disturbance to come to life. These are the first species to colonize a disturbed site, often also referred to as early successional species. Among their shared characteristics is their ability to establish under poor conditions, in dry, compacted, or otherwise compromised soils. They can also be enthusiastic colonizers, which is a key to their survival and success. Good fortune would have it that the plants that volunteered on this lot were largely dominated by native species. This is not always the case. If there’s a way, exotics will often find it.

Some of these ruderal species may not be readily available in the horticulture trade (i.e., cultivated for sale), or at least not consistently or reliably. However, by cross-referencing the availability of containerized plants, plugs, and seed, and indulging in a few plant substitutions, one can recreate similar resilient and low-input plant communities.

Here’s a list of species to consider when recreating a similar meadow as an alternative to vast expanses of turf grass. Some are seen in the video, while others are recommendations based on function, sustainability, and availability. Keep in mind the list should not be interpreted as a recipe, but as an inspiration. It will always be important to pay attention to your local plant communities.

Preston Montague is a landscape architect and artist who developed a passion for the natural world while growing up in the rural foothills of Virginia. Currently, he lives in Durham, North Carolina working on projects that encourage stronger relationships between people and the natural world for the purpose of improving public and environmental health. Preston is a recipient of the Perennial Plant Association’s 2022 Landscape Design Awards.