“Active restoration […] offers the opportunity to soften or erase the neglected squalor”

~Art Kruckeberg & Linda Chalker-Scott Gardening with Native Plants

In 2023, the team behind DreamGarden Design started our biggest project to date: turning seven acres of invasive reed canary grass back into a native meadow and oak savanah, the likes of which once covered the San Juan Island chain. Started from a need to remove invasive and harmful species effecting Libby’s property in the San Juans, the project now includes three separate meadow areas on her property to support both native plant species and the rare Island Marble butterfly. A fourth meadow is currently under construction for a client at a separate property on island.

Flowers & Plants

8-15% of all flowers and plants growing in our native meadows were grown from seed by Emma and Libby, with the rest being grown in small quantities by passionate specialist nurseries in western Washington. As many are unavailable at conventional nurseries, we have had to source seeds from all over the pacific northwest, learning how to grow and care for these “specialty” species ourselves through trial and error. We are one of only a few organizations growing these plants at all in the region.

Island Marble Butterfly

The Meadow project conforms to requirements necessary for a critically endangered species of butterfly which was thought extinct until 2000. Working with the San Juan conservation district, Dept. of fish and wildlife and other organizations for grants, advice and participation, the team have designed and three several enclosures which will begin hosting specimens of the rare Island Marble Butterfly by the end of next year.

In Commercial Practice

Over the last three years we have installed several smaller meadow projects for homeowners in the Seattle area and beyond, bringing the same goal for ecological health to parking strips and back yards alike. We are very passionate about the Meadow Movement, so if you have interest in making your property part of the solution, we’d love to chat about it.

A backyard garden with colorful bunting flags hanging overhead, a small wooden shed, a gardening area with tools, plants, and a wheelbarrow, and trees in the background illuminated by warm sunlight.
Three purple flowers with yellow centers blooming in a garden.
A small brown bird standing on the ground in a grassy field with sunlight illuminating the scene.
Close-up of light purple wildflowers with yellow centers on a green and blurred background
Close-up of yellow flowers with rounded central disc and radiating petal-like structures, surrounded by green leaves and stems.
A small garden bed with young plants surrounded by mulch, with a fence and grassy field in the background.
Colorful garden with pink, white, and purple flowers and green foliage
A lush garden filled with a variety of colorful flowers and greenery, with a fence and trees in the background.
A garden with various colorful flowers, including white, purple, and pink blooms, enclosed by a wooden fence. In the background, there are parked cars and trees.
A garden with a gravel pathway, colorful flowers, trees, and a tent in the background during sunset.
Close-up of a vibrant red and yellow flower with a dark center, blurry outdoor background.
Close-up of a flowering plant with purple and pink petals, with a background of trees and a clear sky during sunset.
Close-up of a yellow flower with a blurred green and purple background.
Close-up of pink and white flowers with green leaves, possibly morning glories, in a garden setting.
A close-up of a purple flower spike with multiple pink and purple buds on a thick brown stem. The background is blurred green and light brown.
Close-up of yellow flowers with brown centers in a garden setting, blurred background with hints of green and sky.
Two people standing near a partially built wooden fence on a grassy hill with trees, a body of water, and houses in the background under a clear blue sky.
A bird perched on a wire fence post with a blurred background of field and trees, and a distant flying insect or bird.
A small bird perched on a wire fence near a leafy tree, backlit by sunlight, with a blurry background of trees.
A bird perched on a wire fence in front of green and orange foliage.
Close-up of a person smiling, wearing a black cap and a patterned bandana covering their face, with a blurred background of an indoor setting.
A garden with young plants and mulch, bordered by a wire fence, with a cloudy sky and open fields in the background.
A small garden bed with young plants and moss, surrounded by mulch and enclosed with a wire fence in the background.
Colorful garden with yellow and red flowers, white and purple flowers, and a gravel path.
A garden with flowering plants in the foreground, trees, and a shed in the background, under a clear sky.
Close-up of green and white variegated leaves with dew drops on a plant in soil.
A landscaped area with small plants marked with white labels, tall grass patches, and a tilted wooden fence in the background, with greenery and trees beyond.
Close-up of a garden bed with various small, green plants, some appearing wilted or dry, and dark, rocky soil.
A rural landscape with green grass, trees, a small fenced area, a person on a red riding lawn mower, and a blue sky with few clouds.