These native wildflower plantings are located in two distinct areas behind Dartmouth’s Berry Library. The two areas are highly visible and are adjacent to prominent walkways. They are partially shaded, slightly hilly, and have been difficult to maintain.
The project is a joint effort between Dartmouth’s Facilities, Operations & Management, Dartmouth’s Class of 1989, and student volunteers from the Sustainability Action Program from Dartmouth’s Sustainability Office.
| Total Area Planted = 1,600 sq. ft |
| Annual Species Planted = 26 |
| Perennial Species Planted = 15 |
| Pounds of Seed (annual/perennial) = 0.6 / 1.25 (1.85 total) |
| Pounds of Carrying Agent (Sand)= 15 |
| Initial Planting Date – 4/25/2022 |
The first Berry Library area is a long, skinny rectangle, roughly 1,600 square feet. It runs between pine trees and a walkway.
| Total Area Planted = 300 sq. ft |
| Annual Species Planted = 26 |
| Perennial Species Planted = 15 |
| Pounds of Seed (annual/perennial) = 0.1 / 0.25 (0.385 total) |
| Pounds of Carrying Agent (Sand) = 3 |
| Initial Planting Date – 4/25/2022 |
The second Berry Library area is a 300 sq ft rectangular area just north of the first Berry planting site. It also runs between pine trees and a walkway.
Both sites are being planted with a combination of annuals and perennials. The goal is for the non-native annuals to quickly stabilize the area, prevent additional erosion, and help prevent severe weed infestations. The flowering annuals should also provide a wide variety of color and plant sizes during the 2022 growing season, providing a significant benefit for pollinators.
The native perennial wildflowers will take a little longer to establish themselves. Some should start to appear in the late summer of 2022, but most won’t start to thrive until the spring of 2023.
The wildflowers that were planted include:
| Botanical Name | Common Name | Life Cycle | Color | Height | Bloom Season | |
 | Aquilegia canadensis | Eastern Red Columbine | Perennial | Red | 24″ | Summer |
 | Asclepias incarnata | Swamp Milkweed | Perennial | Pink | 48″ | Summer |
 | Asclepias tuberosa | Butterfly Weed | Perennial | Orange | 36″ | Summer |
 | Aster novae angliae | New England Aster | Perennial | Purple | 48″ | Summer, Fall |
 | Chamaecrista fasciculata | Partridge Pea | Annual | Yellow | 36″ | Spring |
 | Coreopsis lanceolata | Lance-Leaf Coreopsis | Perennial | Yellow | 48″ | Summer, Fall |
 | Eupatorium maculatum | Spotted Joe Pye Weed | Perennial | Pink | 96″ | Summer, Fall |
 | Gaillardia pulchella | Indian Blanket | Annual | Red, Yellow | 24″ | Summer |
 | Heliopsis helianthoides | Ox-Eye Sunflower | Perennial | Yellow | 72″ | Summer |
 | Liatris spicata | Blazing Star or Gayfeather | Perennial | Purple | 48″ | Summer, Fall |
 | Lupinus perennis | Wild Lupine | Perennial | Blue | 36″ | Spring, Summer |
 | Monarda fistulosa | Wild Bergamot | Perennial | Pink | 48″ | Summer, Fall |
 | Oenothera biennis | Evening Primrose | Biennial | Yellow | 48″ | Summer |
 | Penstemon digitalis | Beard Tongue | Perennial | White | 36″ | Spring |
 | Rudbeckia hirta | Black-eyed Susan | Perennial | Yellow, Orange | 30″ | Summer, Fall |
 | Rudbeckia submentosa | Sweet Black Eyed Susan | Perennial | Yellow, Orange | 30″ | Summer, Fall |
 | Rudbeckia triloba | Brown-eyed Susan | Annual | Yellow | 60″ | Fall |
 | Solidago rigida | Rigid Goldenrod | Perennial | Yellow | 60″ | Summer |
