This native wildflower planting is a long, narrow strip located next to a granite wall in the Kemeny Courtyard behind Dartmouth’s Berry Library. The area is highly visible and is adjacent to prominent walkways.
The project is a joint effort between Dartmouth’s Facilities, Operations & Management, Dartmouth’s Class of 1989, and student volunteers from the ENVS 50 Class.
Total Area Planted = 720 sq. ft |
Annual Species Planted = 26 |
Perennial Species Planted = 15 |
Initial Planting Date – 5/2/2024 |
The site 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 first growing season, providing a significant benefit for pollinators.
The native perennial wildflowers will take a little longer to establish themselves and start to appeal in the second growing season.
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 |