Meadow

 

Sundogs maintains approximately 16 acres of the 46 acre property in meadow habitat. These predominantly grass areas are carefully managed creating habitat for a wide variety of insects (butterflies, fireflies, grasshoppers, crickets and beetles) and birds. Our meadows have qualified for the Potomac Audubon Society Grassland Bird Initiative.
 

The meadow is diverse in topography consisting of low-lying moist areas to rocky ridges with shallow dry soils. These variations support diverse plant species that are both food and larval host species for a variety of butterflies and moths. While the plant species vary depending on location native grasses are the predominant plant which offer nesting opportunities for a variety of wildlife. Native grass species include Andropogon virginicus, (broome grass), Sorghastrum nutans, (Indian grass), Tridens flavus (purple-top), Panicum virginiana (switchgrass), and Dichanthelium clandestinum (Deer Tongue Grass).

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 Flowering perennials or forbes also play an important role for pollinators. At least four different milkweeds (Asclepias tuberosa, Asclepias viridis, Asclepias verticillata, and Asclepias syriaca) - a must for the Monarch butterflies - are found in various areas of the meadows. Several other native flowering perennials provide nectar and seed sources including Monarda fistulosa, (Bee Balm), Eutrochium maculata (Joe-pye weed), Solidago sp. (goldenrod), Verbesina alternifolia (wingstem), Rudbeckia ( black-eyed susan) Eupatorium perfoliatum (late boneset), Conoclinium coelestinum (blue mist flower), and Symphyotrichum sp. (asters).

During nesting season the meadows provide an all-you-can-eat buffet to a large array of bird species including Indigo Buntings, Eastern Bluebirds, Eastern Kingbirds, Yellow Warblers, Carolina Wrens, and Wild Turkeys. Rabbits, foxes, skunks, and hawks also forage and hunt throughout the tall grasses. While the meadows offer the perfect backdrop to the gardens they also invite a much closer look. Enjoy walks on the wide trails that take you through and skirt the edges of the meadow habitat immersed in the buzz and hum of life.