Native Meadow

Gari Melchers Home & Studio, in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, undertook a wildlife habitat restoration of part of the former pastureland. In the spring of 2000 the fields were planted in warm season native grasses (Big and Little Blue Stem, Indian Grass, and Switch Grass) mixed with wildflowers (Black-eyed Susan, Purple Cone Flowers, Butterfly Weed) to provide food and nesting places for butterflies, small mammals, and birds. A simple path, where the grass is kept short, circumnavigates the fields to allow visitors a close-up experience. Both fields are easily viewed from the main garden for visitors who prefer to stay on pavement. Update: as of 2023, the front pasture was converted from native grasses back to a mowed, grass field. The back fields will remain as native grasses.

Jensen, Beate. Creating a Wildlife Oasis at Belmont, Invalid date. Accessed May 6th 2020. http://southerngardenhistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Magnolia_Summer_2010.pdf.