Ecology + Design

Eco-Friendly Landscape Design for Full Sun Sites | Fairfield County, CT

The most important step in Our Process as ecological landscape designers is site evaluation. Many properties, especially estates, have a multitude of microclimates with unique site conditions that allow certain plants to thrive and others to decline.

 

Sun paths throughout the year. image courtesy of House Plan Helper.

 

Sun Requirements

 

Assessing the amount of sunlight goes beyond the aspect (direction) of the zone; afternoon sun is stronger than morning sun, for example. Fences, trees, sheds and neighboring homes may cast significant shadows. Consider all these factors and then decide if your site gets 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. If so, consider it a full sun site and pick your plants accordingly.

 

A designed native meadow in Fairfield County, CT.

 

Full Sun Native Environments

 

When we think of native full sun landscapes, they include meadows, grasslands, and prairies. Full sun plants often flower for extended periods of time and provide a multitude of ecological benefits, from pollinator & bird habitat to carbon sequestration and stormwater absorption. The landscape design potential and ecosystem service potential are limitless in a full sun native landscape!

 

 

Many of our native, full-sun perennials are host plants for lepidoptera (butterflies and moths). Their nectar provides ample food throughout the growing season, and seed heads become fodder for birds in late summer and fall. Choosing native plants for your full sun site will make your property a thriving haven of birds, bees, and butterflies.

A designed faux-meadow next to an established wet meadow.

 

Soil Analysis to Inform Landscape Design

 

It is important to distinguish the hydrology of your site as well. Plants are designated a Wetland Indicator Status that determines how much soil moisture they require.

 

The scale ranges from:

 

Obligate Wetland: Occurs almost always in wetlands (99%)

 

Facultative Wetland: Usually occurs in wetlands, but occasionally found in non-wetlands (67-99%)

 

Facultative: Equally likely to occur in wetlands and non-wetlands (34-66%)

 

Facultative Upland: Usually occur in non-wetlands but occasionally found in wetlands (1-33%)

 

Upland: Almost always occurs in non-wetlands in the specified region (1%)

 

We start every project by collecting a soil sample and sending it to local labs for physical and chemical analysis. Understanding the soil structure, pH, organic matter content, and essential nutrient & mineral content is quite literally vital information. The results and analysis from the soil test inform our program for amending the soil. Green Jay’s Organic Land Management program always uses organic, natural source products, but each program is tailor-made to the site’s microclimate and design plan.

 

Most native prairie and meadow plants prefer a lean soil – not too rich in organic matter. We add amendments to cultivate soil microbes, correct pH, alleviate compaction, and add essential nutrients and minerals.

 

 

Favorite Native Full Sun Plants

 

For hot, dry, full sun sites, there are many beautiful natives to choose from. Some of our favorites are:

 

Blazing Star Liatris

 

Hyssop Agastache

 

Blackeyed Susan Rudbeckia

 

Coneflower Echinacea

 

Joe Pye Weed Eutrochium

 

Goldenrod Solidago

 

Asters Symphyotrichum

 

For damp to wet, full sun sites, there are also many stunning options, that often are more adept at cleaning soils and water of pollutants.

 

Cardinal Flower Lobelia

 

NY Ironweed Vernonia

 

Swamp Milkweed Asclepias

 

Swamp Rose Rosa

 

Blue Flag Iris Iris

 

Examples of Our Landscape Design Work on Full Sun Sites

 

Some of our fondest projects have been in beautiful, sunny Fairfield County, CT. Below is a roundup of our best landscape design work.

 

Private Nature Preserve in Greenwich, Connecticut

Perennial massing for a strong visual border along the pool area.

 

This stunning Connecticut estate has many full sun zones, including dual designed meadow gardens that flank an outdoor staircase. The pool area also received updated landscaping through long-blooming perennial gardens.

 

Modern pool landscaping featuring native perennials for pollinators.

 

Read more about the project on our previous blog post: #1 Estate-Scale Private Nature Preserve .

 

Garden beds define and relate landscape areas (ie. pool area and vegetable garden)

 

Modern Ecological Poolscape & Front Entry | Darien, CT

 

We had so much fun working on this contemporary home’s landscape plan, fusing together a clean minimalist aesthetic with ecologically beneficial plants. Textured, layered planting beds create habitat while contrasting with grand masonry. The existing meadow needed a revamp as much of the initial plant diversity had been lost due to improper management. Learn more about the project on our previous blog.

 

 

 

 

Front Yard Permaculture Garden | Darien, CT

 

This was an incredibly unique project that incorporated permaculture theory, edibles, and making the front yard a functional chicken enclosure! Thank you to our amazing clients for reimagining front yard beauty standards! This Darien, CT property is productive, organic and provides countless ecosystem services. Learn more about the project on our previous blog.

 

 

 

Contact Us To Schedule a Free

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Let’s discuss your goals and determine if we are a good fit for your project.

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