The native wildflower planting at Dartmouth’s organic farm reclaims a portion of a hillside disturbed by the installation of a septic system.
This planting is a joint effort between Dartmouth’s Organic Farm, Dartmouth’s Facilities, Operations & Management, Dartmouth’s Class of 1989, and student volunteers from the Sustainability Action Program of Dartmouth’s Sustainability Office.
| Total Area Planted = 2,800 sq. ft |
| # of Annual Species Planted = 26 |
| # of Perennial Species Planted = 15 |
| Pounds of Seed (annual / perennial) = 1.75 / 2.4 (4.15 total) |
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Pounds of Carrying Agent (Sand) = 35 |
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Planting Date: 4/25/22 |
The area is nearly 3,000 square feet and will be planted with a combination of annuals and perennials. The hope is that the non-native annuals will quickly stabilize the area, prevent erosion, and help prevent severe weed infestations. The flowering annuals should also provide a wide variety of color and plant sizes, providing a significant benefit for pollinators.
The native perennial wildflowers will take a little longer to establish themselves. Some should start to appear in late summer, 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 |
