Monarch Gardens
  • Home
  • About
    • What We Believe
    • Benjamin Vogt
    • Our Dream
    • Press
  • Design
    • Designing
    • Portfolio
    • Reviews
  • Classes
  • Speaking
  • Books
    • Articles
    • Books
  • Garden Guides
  • Workshop
  • Blog
  • community
  • Shirts
  • News
  • Contact

The Deep Middle


Gardening & writing in the prairie echo

Modular Matrix Design

1/8/2019

26 Comments

 
I posted an image to Instagram that got some folks asking good questions. It's a 15x15 foot garden plan, a draft for a section of a much larger garden area that's several thousand square feet. The curve ball is that this section will be repeated until the entire garden area is covered; this is modular planting. Not only does it simplify the drafting process, but it helps installers move along while providing visual repetition for onlookers -- that last point is important when a wilder garden might otherwise be brushed aside as weedy or messy.
Picture
As you can see from the plan (and my chicken scratch handwriting), there's a plant list to the left; let me type that out for you:

Aromatic Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium) SO
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) AT
Bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii) AH
Showy Goldenrod (Solidago speciosa) SS
Purple Poppy Mallow (Callirhoe involucrata) CI
Rough Blazingstar (Liatris aspera) LA
Pale Coneflower (Echinacea pallida) EP
Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium) EY
White Prairie Clover (Dalea candida) DC
Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea) ZA
Prairie Coreopsis (Coreopsis palmata) CP
Blue Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) AF
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) RH

On the bottom are seasonal bloom lists, and on the right some percentages I was trying to work out. The latter is key and site specific; since I anticipate weed competition on a dry slope, our goal is to cover the site quickly with plants and seed, then to manage for weeds the first year when their pressure will be the greatest. Some of the plants are aggressive spreaders, by runners or seeding, while others are behaved clumpers. I'm trying to find the right balance between clumpers and spreaders -- the former will give us more formal definition, appealing to a traditional expectation of what a garden looks like (think anchor or architectural plants), and the latter will help us replace mulch while providing seasonal color. How the roots compete with and support surrounding plants was also part of the thinking. I'm still playing around and have several iterations of the grid.

You could take this plan and make a 15x15 foot garden. Or you could treat it as a test plot for future expansion, repeating the plan in the years ahead around the initial plot. The key here is lots of plants. Under and around the forbs will be sown 1-2 short grasses (sideoats grama, prairie dropseed, etc), which in a year will fill in creating the matrix, base layer, or groundcover which will replace the need for wood mulch. The plant density -- on one foot centers or less -- will provide multiple environmental benefits: competing against weeds above and below the soil line, providing pollinator habitat year round, amending soil, slowing runoff, and providing seasonal color for us to enjoy.  What do you think?

26 Comments
Jon
1/9/2019 02:36:24 pm

Thank you! This is very helpful. I am in the process of designing a native plant "plan" for the 4x40 foot hellstrip in front of our house. Am I right to assume that the blank parts of the grid are where the grasses will go?

Reply
Benjamin Vogt
1/10/2019 08:43:58 am

Yes, exactly right. We'll seed grasses in the open areas.

Reply
lbte
1/12/2019 05:13:06 am

love this! I've been reading more about Piet Oudolf's work after seeing his movie, "Five Seasons" this winter and am so happy to see you explore some of his ideas on a more reasonable scale. now I'm trying to determine what can grow in hot and humid central North Carolina and will be watching to see how you do in Nebraska-thank you!

Reply
Benjamin Vogt
1/16/2019 09:51:50 am

A more reasonable scale. We'll see. I'm not an Oudolf devotee but there's a lot to learn and extrapolate from on a regional level. Then there's also the added focus on wildlife support beyond the ornamental for humans only....

Reply
James McGee
2/3/2019 08:24:26 am

I am not sure from the draft which side of the garden is the edge from which it will be viewed. This is important because you would not want shorter plants further away from the viewing area than taller plants.

I would prefer the plants be more dispersed and in bands that radiate from the viewing area depending on height, as opposed to being in small groups.

Finally, I would save my money for more of the long-lived-slower-growing plants by introducing species like black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) and golden alexander (Zizia aurea) from seed.

Reply
Benjamin
2/3/2019 08:49:29 am

It's a modular design, so don't necessarily think of it as its own space; since it will be linking up to its replicated self there is not particular viewing area -- think meadow. As for plant arrangement, yes, you can certainly do it how you like, just keep in mind the plant will move. When I was thinking abotu Rudbeckia and Zizia I was considering where I wanted them to move out from and head toward, since they will self so at least moderately depending on environmental factors. But you are right -- if this were simply a large meadow of 1/4 acre or more, I'd probably go with seed for species like them, as well. Perhaps I'd also seed 75% of the area to cut down costs, depending on how visible the space would be for viewers and how "gardeny" it needs to appear.

Reply
James McGee
2/3/2019 11:49:36 am

Yes, plants do move. How this is dealt with is the difference between gardening and ecosystem reconstruction. In ecosystem reconstruction we want plants to form drifts according to the location in the landscape they would have naturally occupied. Whereas in gardening we constantly edit so plants are in the areas we want them and certain species do not take over everything else. This editing is a great chance to give neighbors plants so they can get something started at their own homes.

Instead of thinking about where the Rudbeckia and Zizia would spread out from, try thinking about it from a succession stand point. If you plant these species they would bloom, set seed, spread out a little, and repeat. Whereas, if the entire area was lightly seeded with these species then you would have a reassuring pop of color for your client in year two giving them reassurance while the species that take longer developed enough to put on a show.

Benjamin
2/3/2019 11:54:14 am

Trust me, I am thinking about succession, which is why I anticipate Rudbeckia vanishing within three years. And which is why I'll also be seeding in some mexican hat coneflower and a few annuals; these plants will help with weed competition the first 1-2 years until the perennials come on. I don't think this is an either or -- gardening vs. ecosystem reconstruction -- but meeting somewhere in the middle. Where on the scale this slides is dependent on the site and client goals.

Reply
James McGee
2/3/2019 12:28:40 pm

I trust you. :)

Reply
Jake Rayson link
1/13/2020 04:20:59 pm

This may be totally simples question but do you measure out the grid with string, with markers on the boundaries or are you doing it by eye? I’m really keen to try this out on a UK site :)

Reply
Benjamin
1/14/2020 08:06:56 am

Some use string. I use a stake at each corner then paint out has marks -- say every two feet. Along the way I might change things -- add more plants, move things a little, etc; it always feels different on site the day of.

Reply
Jake Rayson
2/2/2020 05:12:11 pm

I’m using this as a basis for planting UK native wildflowers, really as a fun experiment to learn about flowers from both sides of the Atlantic (flowers haven’t been my thing). I made a CAD file, mostly because I had a tax return to fill in, and put some notes online, which might be of interest: http://simp.ly/p/kcXBf3

I'll slowly be filling up the "UK equivalents" section as I find out more.

Thanks for the ideas :)

Reply
Nancy Field
4/4/2020 01:56:33 pm

I'd like to find Pacific Northwest equivalent plants. Am a native plant steward and could eventually get there but wonder if there is a simpler way to assemble an equivalent list. Thanks for this!

Reply
Benjamin
4/4/2020 02:01:53 pm

You'll have to find someone up there to help you, or take the time to do the admittedly tedious research. I'm sorry I can't provide a specific plant list for you, just the general idea.

Reply
Amanda Uluhan
9/13/2021 04:14:52 pm

Did you ever dig into this? I’m in the same boat

Reply
Amy Call
9/9/2020 10:56:16 pm

Thanks for the ideas, esp using the grasses as "spacers" btw forbs. I'm designing a rain garden in NE IL, so totally different plants but this plan gets my wheels turning. Clumping sedges and blue flag can be my spacers.

Reply
Mandi
2/25/2021 07:46:38 am

Wow.. Now I'm reading through all your blog posts. Such great information you are sharing. I am just getting started as an all native urban landscape designer/installer in Grand Rapids, Mi and your writings are so HELPFUL. Thank you for sharing your gained wisdom so freely!

Reply
Benjamin Vogt
2/25/2021 09:55:34 am

Thanks Mandi. I'm glad you're able to find so much that's useful for you. You'll find even more depth in some of the online classes (if you like this post, "Layers" would be helpful). Good luck!

Reply
Sonia Wood
3/11/2021 12:33:11 pm

I love this! Thank you so much!

I’ve been trying to let smaller parts of my front yard (~3/4 acres) grow into natural grasses and plants, along with a ~3/4 acre more densely natural backyard, but I want to try to follow your ideas now that I came across this. I have lots of wild blackberry bushes in my backyard (though the berries honestly look like black raspberries) and, therefore, have a lot of deer who come here and eat and sleep. They even bring their babies! 😊

I want to plant milkweed for the monarchs, and true butterfly bushes - or something similar - in both the front and back. What, and where, do you suggest? Also, will 2 or 3 free-roaming chickens be detrimental? We used to have many, and I loved the fact that they ate all of the ticks and mosquito larvae...

Thank you very much!

Reply
Benjamin
3/11/2021 01:15:33 pm

I'm not clean on "what and where," but do it right you need to know the site conditions just to start. I am available for online consults. I don't see chickens being a problem, only a benefit. Good luck!

Reply
Sonia Wood
3/11/2021 05:58:52 pm

Oh, gosh, I don’t even know why I asked that! I think I got so excited about finding your site that I was already trying to plan out something in my head!
Sorry about that...

I have clay with a little sandy soil on top, where I live (VA.) It’s almost impossible to dig through the clay. I’ll try my best to follow your suggestions, though, and will ask questions for what I can’t figure out.

Thanks again for sharing your knowledge!

Adrianne
5/22/2021 10:26:04 am

Thank you so much for this! Would this work everywhere in North America? Or in environments similar to Nebraska? I'm in Ontario, in a Mixedwood Plains region.

Reply
Benjaminamin
5/22/2021 03:23:36 pm

Almost everywhere. It's very adaptable. Certainly would work for your locale.

Reply
JESSE MADSEN
6/21/2021 09:33:46 am

Wow this is so helpful!

For each plant, is it like one 3.5 inch plug or group of 3 or 5 plugs? Guess it depends on the plant but how many per square is what I’m wrestling with. There are seeding rates but I’m doing my yard and want to start with plants.

Reply
Benjamin Vogt
6/21/2021 01:41:45 pm

Yes it depends on species. You generally want to do odd-numbered groups. Plant the matrix on 12 centers then come in and add the forbs. Allium and Liatris work well jammed in between grasses as they are bulb / corm plants.

Reply
Joe
9/15/2021 01:25:46 pm

I really love the way you documented this. Question on this from a pollinator perspective. In a matrix design the goal is to pack as plants as possible. But I am wondering how well it works for pollinators. IN a smaller garden there isnt as much mass plantings available and also the height of the plants can vary. A pollinator for example on the Butterfly Weed would need to fly 8 feet to the next groupings if they start in the right front then buzz to the middle.

I am not an expert on how pollinators would use a matrix layout - most books I've read focus on the design based on environment, but not how it benefits a species such as monarchs.

Dont get me wrong I Love the concept you have but I have been struggling with a design that is suited for pollinators,

One benefit I see of the matrix is that different pollinator has an opportunity to interact with a given species. As an example, for my matrix, I have separated the bee balm into zones at different areas of the garden. That way the hummers can use it and in another the bees. In my previous design the 60 sq foot of bee balm was used only by the bees since the hummer tended to avoid the high bee traffic.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    About

    Benjamin Vogt's thoughts on prairie gardening in Nebraska. With a healthy dose of landscape ethics, ecophilosophy, climate change,  and social justice.

    Picture
    Online Classes  |  200 Articles

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017


    Original Archives

    1,257 posts from

    July 2007 - May 2017


    Garden Timelapse


    Subscribe

    RSS Feed


    Picture
    In a time of climate change and mass extinction how & for whom we garden matters more than ever.

    "This book is about so much more than gardening."
Picture
M O N A R C H   G A R D E N S   LLC

prairie inspired  design

Lincoln & Omaha, Nebraska

Monarch Gardens is a prairie-inspired design firm. We specialize in lawn to meadow conversions as well as urban shade gardens.

Employing 95% native plants, our designs are climate resilient, adaptable, and provide numerous ecological benefits while artistically reflecting wilder landscapes.
Sign up for our newsletter!
Join Now