We've reached a stage where we can no longer follow past practices unthinkingly, particularly when those practices are wasteful and harmful to the environment. It's time to get rid of the old-fashioned lawn and embrace a sane and healthy future: the meadow garden. A meadow is a shimmering mini-ecosystem, in which grasses combine with colourful perennials to form a rich tapestry that is friendly to all life--with minimal input of water, time and other scarce resources. Children and pets can play in complete safety, and birds and butterflies flock there. John Greenlee details all the practicalities of site preparation, plant selection, maintenance and plant performance. Gorgeous photography by Saxon Holt illustrates the message with stunning examples of meadow gardens.

Photographs by: Saxon Holt