Transforming Landscapes with Perennial Grasses
Grass and fountain at 19 Birch Lane
In the Garden @19BirchLane: Transforming Landscapes with Perennial Grasses
By Aric Odone, Owner & Head Gardener at 19 Birch Lane
Gardening is an art form, a delicate balance between color, texture, structure, and movement. While flowers often steal the show, perennial grasses bring an entirely different dimension to a garden, creating drama, rhythm, and elegance throughout the seasons.
At 19 Birch Lane, we have embraced ornamental grasses not just as fillers or background plants but as focal points, capable of transforming the landscape in ways few other plants can. Their ability to capture light, sway with the wind, and create a sense of wild beauty makes them an essential feature in our Mid Coast Maine gardens.
The Power of Perennial Grasses in Garden Design
Perennial grasses are more than just supporting players in the garden—they anchor spaces, add vertical interest, and bring a soft, naturalistic feel to any landscape. Whether used in large sweeping drifts or as isolated accents, grasses can make a bold impact.
Here’s how they can elevate any garden:
1. Creating Movement and Energy
Unlike static shrubs or perennials, grasses bring life and motion to a garden. As the wind flows through, their feathery plumes and arching blades sway, creating a mesmerizing, ever-changing display. Even in the stillness of winter, frost-covered grasses add texture and visual intrigue.
2. Adding Architectural Structure
Grasses come in a variety of forms—some upright and statuesque, others cascading and fluid. They can define borders, add contrast to traditional plantings, or create a natural privacy screen. Tall varieties like Miscanthus and Panicum make for striking vertical elements, while lower-growing selections like Prairie Dropseed work beautifully as ground covers.
3. Four Seasons of Beauty
Unlike many perennials that fade into dormancy by late summer, ornamental grasses continue to shine well into fall and winter. Their golden hues, delicate seed heads, and frost-kissed blades create a stunning seasonal display, ensuring that even in the colder months, the garden remains full of life and interest.
4. Effortless Elegance with Minimal Maintenance
One of the greatest advantages of perennial grasses is their low-maintenance nature. Once established, they require little watering, resist most pests and diseases, and don’t demand constant attention. They thrive in poor soils, tolerate drought, and are adaptable to various garden styles—from modern landscapes to naturalistic meadows.
Choosing the Right Grasses for Your Garden
For gardeners in planting zone 6a, selecting the right grasses is key to ensuring year-round beauty and longevity. Here are some of our top picks at 19 Birch Lane:
Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass) – A versatile native grass that adds vertical interest, tolerates wet or dry soils, and boasts stunning golden-red fall color.
Calamagrostis acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ (Feather Reed Grass) – An elegant, upright grass that offers early-season blooms and remains structured through winter.
Miscanthus sinensis (Maiden Grass) – Known for its dramatic arching foliage and feathery plumes that emerge in late summer.
Sporobolus heterolepis (Prairie Dropseed) – A low-growing, fragrant grass that creates soft mounds of texture.
Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) – Adds striking blue-green summer tones that transform into fiery oranges and purples in the fall.
Designing with Grasses: Inspiration from 19 Birch Lane
At 19 Birch Lane, we have used grasses in various ways to enhance the natural beauty of our gardens. Here’s how you can incorporate them into your own landscape:
Focal Points: Instead of relying solely on flowers for impact, consider using bold grasses like Miscanthus or Switchgrass as striking centerpieces. Their height and movement create an eye-catching display.
Borders and Pathways: Feather Reed Grass lines pathways and garden beds beautifully, offering structure without feeling too rigid.
Wild, Naturalized Plantings: Mix grasses with flowering perennials like Echinacea, Black-Eyed Susans, and Russian Sage to create a meadow-like effect that feels effortless yet refined.
Softening Hardscapes: Planted alongside stone walls, patios, or around the vintage Lord & Burnham greenhouse, grasses help blend man-made structures with nature.
Drought-Tolerant Solutions: If you have a dry, sunny area, grasses like Little Bluestem and Prairie Dropseed thrive with minimal irrigation.
Caring for Perennial Grasses
While these plants are wonderfully low-maintenance, a little care goes a long way in keeping them at their best:
✔ Cutting Back: In early spring, trim grasses down to 4-6 inches to encourage fresh new growth. Avoid cutting in the fall—leaving them up through winter adds beauty and provides habitat for wildlife.
✔ Dividing: Every 3-5 years, divide clump-forming grasses to prevent overcrowding and maintain vigor.
✔ Watering: Newly planted grasses need regular watering, but once established, most can handle drought conditions with ease.
✔ No Heavy Feeding: Over-fertilizing can lead to weak, floppy growth. A light compost dressing in spring is all they need.
Bringing a Timeless, Natural Look to Any Garden
The magic of ornamental grasses lies in their ability to elevate a landscape with little effort. Whether you’re creating a modern minimalist garden, a cottage-style haven, or a sprawling meadow, grasses offer texture, movement, and year-round appeal.
At 19 Birch Lane, we have seen firsthand how these plants bring a sense of harmony and effortless beauty to any space. As we continue to evolve our gardens, we remain inspired by the way grasses capture light, dance in the breeze, and transform with the seasons.
If you’re looking for a way to redefine your garden with a touch of wild elegance, consider incorporating perennial grasses—you may just find them to be the most enchanting plants you’ve ever grown.
The Benefits of Landscape Lighting
The Benefits of Landscape Lighting
Enhancing the Beauty of 19 Birch Lane: The Benefits of Landscape Lighting
By Aric Odone, Owner & Head Gardener at 19 Birch Lane
At 19 Birch Lane, our gardens are designed to dazzle during the day—but the magic doesn’t stop when the sun sets. Thoughtfully planned landscape lighting transforms our outdoor spaces into an enchanting wonderland, extending the beauty and usability of our gardens into the evening hours. From illuminating paths to highlighting architectural and botanical features, our hard-wired LED lighting system plays a key role in creating a warm, inviting atmosphere for our guests.
Let’s dive into the benefits of using landscape lighting in your garden and explore how we use path lights, spotlights, and uplighting at 19 Birch Lane to enhance our botanical haven.
The Benefits of Landscape Lighting
Landscape lighting is more than just a decorative addition—it’s a practical investment that offers a host of benefits:
1. Safety and Navigation
Well-lit paths and walkways reduce the risk of trips and falls, especially in the evening. At 19 Birch Lane, path lights guide guests as they explore the gardens after dark, creating a safe and enjoyable experience for evening weddings and events.
2. Enhanced Aesthetic Appeal
Strategically placed lights draw attention to the most beautiful features of your garden. Whether it’s a majestic tree, a charming pergola, or a serene pond, lighting can turn these elements into nighttime focal points.
3. Increased Usability
Landscape lighting allows you to enjoy your garden after sunset, whether you’re hosting a dinner party, relaxing outdoors, or celebrating a special occasion. It extends the functionality of your space, making it accessible and inviting at all hours.
4. Security
A well-lit property can deter trespassers and provide peace of mind. Lighting dark corners and entryways adds an extra layer of security to your outdoor spaces.
5. Energy Efficiency
Modern LED lighting systems, like the one we use at 19 Birch Lane, are energy-efficient and long-lasting. They provide brilliant illumination while keeping electricity usage low, making them both eco-friendly and cost-effective.
How We Use Landscape Lighting at 19 Birch Lane
At 19 Birch Lane, our lighting strategy focuses on enhancing the natural beauty of our gardens while creating a magical ambiance for evening celebrations. Here’s how we do it:
1. Path Lights: Guiding the Way
Path lights are essential for illuminating walkways, guiding guests through our gardens safely and elegantly. We’ve placed these lights along the main pathways leading to our ceremony pergola, outdoor dining areas, and greenhouse. The soft glow from these fixtures highlights the edges of the paths without overwhelming the surrounding landscape, ensuring that the garden’s natural beauty remains the star.
2. Spotlights: Showcasing Key Features
Spotlights allow us to draw attention to specific garden elements, such as statues, fountains, and architectural features. For example, our vintage Lord and Burnham greenhouse looks stunning at night when lit with spotlights, its intricate details casting soft shadows that enhance its timeless charm.
We also use spotlights to highlight our flower beds, particularly those featuring vibrant dahlias, hydrangeas, and heirloom mums. The focused beams of light bring out the colors and textures of these blooms, creating a striking visual effect.
3. Uplighting: Highlighting Trees and Vertical Elements
Uplighting is one of the most dramatic ways to enhance a garden. By placing lights at the base of trees or tall structures, we create a stunning upward glow that emphasizes height and form. At 19 Birch Lane, we use uplighting to showcase our majestic trees, like the eastern redbuds and crabapples, as well as to accentuate tall trellises and garden arches.
This technique adds depth and dimension to the garden, making it feel larger and more dynamic. It’s particularly breathtaking during evening events, where the interplay of light and shadow creates a magical atmosphere.
Why We Choose Hard-Wired LED Lights
While there are many types of landscape lighting available, we’ve chosen hard-wired LED lights for their reliability, efficiency, and quality. Here’s why:
Energy Efficiency: LED lights consume significantly less energy than traditional bulbs, reducing our environmental footprint while saving on electricity costs.
Longevity: LED lights have a longer lifespan, which means fewer replacements and less maintenance over time.
Consistent Performance: Hard-wired systems are dependable, delivering consistent illumination without the need to replace batteries or recharge.
Customization: Hard-wired systems allow us to create tailored lighting effects, from dimming pathways to spotlighting specific features.
Tips for Incorporating Landscape Lighting in Your Garden
If you’re considering adding landscape lighting to your garden, here are some tips to ensure success:
Plan Your Layout: Walk through your garden at dusk to identify areas that could benefit from lighting. Consider safety, aesthetics, and functionality.
Use Layers of Light: Combine different types of lighting—path lights, spotlights, and uplighting—for a balanced and dynamic effect.
Choose LED Fixtures: Opt for energy-efficient LED lights to minimize maintenance and reduce energy costs.
Highlight Unique Features: Focus on elements that make your garden special, such as statues, water features, or dramatic plants.
Avoid Overlighting: Subtlety is key. Too much light can wash out the beauty of your garden, while well-placed fixtures can create an elegant and inviting atmosphere.
A Bright Future for 19 Birch Lane
Landscape lighting has become an integral part of our gardens at 19 Birch Lane, helping us create unforgettable experiences for our guests. Whether it’s an evening stroll through the glowing pathways or a wedding reception illuminated by the soft light of uplighted trees, our lighting design ensures that every moment feels magical.
As we continue to refine our gardens, we’re excited to explore even more ways to use lighting to enhance the beauty and functionality of our space. If you’re inspired by what we’ve done at 19 Birch Lane, we encourage you to experiment with landscape lighting in your own garden—it’s a simple way to elevate your outdoor spaces and enjoy them to the fullest.
If you're interested in some of the outdoor lighting that we use, check out this link. https://benable.com/aricodone/garden-lighting/details?detail_id=8384381
“Landscape lighting brings our gardens to life after dark, adding a layer of beauty and magic that transforms every evening into something extraordinary.”
– Aric Odone, Owner & Head Gardener, 19 Birch Lane
For more tips and inspiration, visit us at www.19birchlane.com. Whether you’re planning a wedding or simply looking to enhance your garden, we’d love to share our expertise with you! 🌟
Heirloom Mums: Timeless Beauty @19 Birch Lane
Heirloom Mums: Timeless Beauty at 19 Birch Lane
By Aric Odone, Owner & Head Gardener at 19 Birch Lane
At 19 Birch Lane, we celebrate every season in our gardens, but there’s something truly magical about the fall. As the crisp autumn air settles in, one plant stands out for its vibrant colors, rich textures, and timeless elegance: heirloom chrysanthemums, or “mums.” These classic beauties are more than just a garden staple—they’re a statement of history, resilience, and unparalleled charm. Whether used as a garden accent or a cut flower for indoor arrangements, heirloom mums shine in Maine’s grow zone 6a.
Why Heirloom Mums?
Heirloom mums have been cultivated for centuries, cherished for their intricate blooms, variety of forms, and rich colors. Unlike modern hybrids bred for uniformity and mass production, heirloom varieties retain their unique characteristics, offering a softer, more natural look. Their robust stems, intricate petal structures, and ability to thrive in cool climates make them ideal for both ornamental gardens and floral arrangements.
At 19 Birch Lane, we love heirloom mums for their ability to extend the beauty of our gardens well into the fall. These late bloomers bridge the gap between summer’s fading flowers and the quiet dormancy of winter, providing a vibrant display when most plants have finished their show.
Heirloom Mums as a Garden Accent
1. Stunning Autumn Displays
Heirloom mums are perfect for creating dynamic fall displays. Their wide range of colors—deep reds, warm oranges, golden yellows, and soft pinks—complement the changing foliage of autumn. We use them to line pathways, enhance borders, and frame garden features like pergolas and fountains.
Their mounded growth habit and abundant blooms make them excellent companions for ornamental grasses, asters, and sedums. The combination of textures and colors creates a garden that feels alive with the season's energy.
2. Low-Maintenance Elegance
One of the reasons we recommend heirloom mums is their relatively low maintenance. Once established, they require little more than well-drained soil, regular watering, and occasional pruning to maintain their shape. At 19 Birch Lane, we prepare the soil with compost before planting to ensure healthy growth and strong blooms.
3. Wildlife-Friendly Blooms
Heirloom mums are not just beautiful—they’re also beneficial to pollinators. In late fall, when other nectar sources are scarce, bees and butterflies flock to their blooms. Planting heirloom mums supports local wildlife while adding a dynamic layer of activity to the garden.
Heirloom Mums as a Cut Flower
1. Long-Lasting Blooms
One of the standout features of heirloom mums is their longevity as cut flowers. When properly harvested and cared for, they can last up to two weeks in a vase. Their sturdy stems and vibrant colors make them a favorite for floral designers and home decorators alike.
At 19 Birch Lane, we often incorporate heirloom mums into wedding arrangements, autumn centerpieces, and bouquets. Their intricate blooms add texture and drama to any floral design.
2. Harvesting Tips
For the longest vase life, we harvest mums early in the morning when the blooms are just beginning to open. After cutting, we strip the lower leaves and place the stems in clean water with a floral preservative. This simple process ensures that our mums remain fresh and vibrant for days.
Growing Heirloom Mums in Zone 6a
Maine’s grow zone 6a provides the perfect conditions for heirloom mums, with its cool fall temperatures and well-defined growing seasons. Here are some tips we follow at 19 Birch Lane to ensure our mums thrive:
1. Planting Location
Heirloom mums thrive in full sun, needing at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. We choose locations with good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases, which can affect mums in humid conditions.
2. Soil Preparation
Well-drained, slightly acidic soil is ideal for heirloom mums. We amend our soil with compost and organic matter to improve fertility and drainage. Mulching around the base of the plants helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
3. Pinching for Fuller Growth
In late spring and early summer, we pinch back the growing tips of our mums to encourage bushier plants with more blooms. This simple technique results in a more abundant and compact display.
4. Winter Protection
Although many heirloom mums are sometimes hardy in zone 6a, we take extra precautions to protect them during harsh winters. A layer of mulch or straw around the base of the plants helps insulate the roots and prevent frost damage. Along with those precautions we also dig up a few plants and over winter the in our basement as a add way of saving our stock for the next growing season.
Favorite Heirloom Mums at 19 Birch Lane
Here are a few of our favorite heirloom varieties that thrive in Maine’s climate:
‘Sheffield Pink’: Soft, peachy-pink blooms that bring a romantic touch to fall gardens.
‘Clara Curtis’: Bright pink flowers with a daisy-like appearance, perfect for borders and arrangements.
‘Old Gold’: Golden-yellow blooms with a rich, warm tone that complements autumn foliage.
‘Bronze Elegance’: Deep bronze flowers that add a dramatic flair to both gardens and bouquets.
The Legacy of Heirloom Mums
Heirloom mums carry a sense of history and tradition, connecting us to gardeners of the past who cherished these timeless blooms. At 19 Birch Lane, we honor that legacy by incorporating them into our gardens and floral designs, showcasing their beauty and resilience.
Whether you’re planning a garden redesign, hosting an autumn event, or simply looking for a way to brighten your home, heirloom mums are a versatile and rewarding choice. Their vibrant colors, intricate blooms, and seasonal charm make them a standout addition to any space.
“At 19 Birch Lane, heirloom mums remind us that beauty can thrive even in the waning days of the season. They bring warmth, elegance, and timeless appeal to our gardens and celebrations alike.”
– Aric Odone, Owner & Head Gardener at 19 Birch Lane