A meadow does not simply consist of grasses left unmowed. It is a grassland community composed of grasses, wildflowers and legumes. Meadow plants, which are the first to colonize a cleared forest or farm field left unplowed, slowly give way to a succession of shrubs and trees. The rich diversity of flowers, seeds and insects found in a meadow attracts a variety of birds and small mammals. Grasshoppers, for instance, attract birds like the American kestrel, the smallest and most colorful falcon in North America.
Meadows also attract mammals ranging in size from field mice to deer.
Birds such as quail, meadowlark and a variety of sparrows nest and forage here. Wildflowers bring in the wildlife. They add a splash of color to your landscape and rival traditional ornamental flowers in beauty. The nectar of wildflowers is an important food source for honeybees, butterflies and hummingbirds that rapidly burn carbohydrates during flight. These nectar feeders, in turn, ensure plant reproduction through the transfer of pollen.