Professor of Environmental Science Richard Bowden (left), Ernst Conservation Seeds horticulturalist Mark Fiely and President James H. Mullen, Jr., discuss the wildflower demonstration site at Allegheny College.
Meadville, Pa. – Sept. 23, 2008 – Spending less and getting more – it's a concept that often seems too good to be true. But a lush new expanse of wildflowers, planted last fall by Ernst Conservation Seeds on a steep hillside beside Steffee-Doane Hall on the Allegheny College campus, is demonstrating this and much more, according to Richard Bowden, professor of environmental science and ecotourism project director for Allegheny's Center for Economic and Environmental Development.
“We couldn't be more pleased with the results of the wildflower demonstration site,” says Bowden. “The flowers are obviously beautiful, and because they eliminate the need to mow at the site, we're saving financial and environmental resources.”
In a unique collaboration with the college, Ernst Conservations Seeds donated the seeds, expertise and staff to create a native-species wildflower bed approximately an acre in size on the north end of Allegheny's campus. The planting demonstrates the numerous environmental and aesthetic benefits of using native species in commercial landscaping.
Allegheny is also partnering with Ernst on a project examining switchgrass as an alternative fuel source.
“Owing to the strong partnership between Allegheny College and Ernst Conservation Seeds that has developed over the past several years, we find ourselves at the confluence of great opportunities at this point in the college's nearly 200-year history, opportunities that have allowed Allegheny to take a leadership role in demonstrating fresh possibilities for combining environmental stewardship with campus beautification,” said Allegheny President James H. Mullen Jr. “Looking down the road a bit, I also see this as an opportunity to create intergenerational environmental learning laboratories for students, faculty and the wider community.”
Has it been successful?
The flowers rapidly became established, the planting is preventing soil erosion, and the bright blooms are eye-catching. However, according to Ernst horticulturalist Mark Fiely, who headed the project, this is a project that is still very much in progress and that will need a watchful eye over the next few years.
Stepping lightly through thigh-high Black-eyed Susans, Fiely picks first a leaflet of Wild Bergamot then snips a few leaves from a Partridge Pea and a New England Aster and explains that the real beauty of a such a wildflower planting is that it is ever changing.
The thousands of blooming Black-eyed Susans that visually dominate the plot this fall will become isolated pockets next year, as the 20-some perennials in the original seed mixture add pinks, purples and oranges to the evolving landscape.
While Fiely is clearly pleased with the results of the first year, he has a higher goal in mind.
“I hope that when Allegheny students look at the site five years from now, their jaws will drop and the first words out will be, ‘Oh, wow!'” Fiely says. “That's when I'll really be happy.”
But the visual appeal of the project is only one of the benefits. Fiely notes that wildflowers also provide a source of cover and winter food for birds and attract a diverse population of pollinators in summer, including bees, butterflies, moths and hummingbirds.
It is expected that this single wildflower plot will eliminate the need for approximately 45 hours of mowing annually, saving not only staff time but also gas, oil, equipment maintenance and emissions.
Considering a Wildflower Planting?
Things To Keep In Mind
• Native wildflower plots take time to develop. It is important to recognize that it can take three to five growing seasons for the full array of species to develop.
• Before planting a wildflower mix, it is critical to control existing vegetation because many native wildflower species are not as aggressive as common problematic weed species. This can be done via chemical and non-chemical means.
• Select a wildflower seed mix that is interesting and diverse and that includes long-lived perennials.
• The ideal planting time for native wildflowers is late October through early May.
