The flora of the Old Colony is a vital part of our past, present, and future. Beyond defining the aesthetics of our wilderness, native wildflowers attract pollinators which are fundamental to our ecosystem. Herbs, be they native or introduced, are not only used in cooking but also have medicinal properties sought by both the indigenous population and herbalists today. Vegetable crops, an important economic driver following European settlement, continue to sustain us to this day. This exhibit examines a selection of plant life that make up the unique landscape of the Old Colony.

Bean, Bush

Botanical Name: Phaseolus vulgaris
Life Cycle: Annual
Light: Full sun
Planting Depth: 1″
Sowing Method: Direct sow
Days to Maturity: 50

Bean, Runner

Botanical Name: Phaseolus vulgaris
Life Cycle: Annual
Light: Full sun
Planting Depth: 1″
Sowing Method: Direct sow
Days to Maturity: 75

Corn

Botanical Name: Zea mays
Life Cycle: Annual
Light: Full sun
Planting Depth: 1-2″
Sowing Method: Direct sow
Days to Maturity: 70-80

Corn, Flint

Botanical Name: Zea mays indurata
Life Cycle: Annual
Light: Full sun
Planting Depth: 1″
Sowing Method: Direct sow
Days to Maturity: 110-120

Cucumber

Botanical Name: Cucumis sativus
Life Cycle: Annual
Light: Full sun
Planting Depth: .5″
Sowing Method: Direct sow or start indoors
Days to Maturity: 65

Onion

Botanical Name: Allium cepa
Life Cycle: Annual
Light: Full sun
Planting Depth: .25″
Sowing Method: Direct sow or start indoors
Days to Maturity: 90-120

Potato

Botanical Name: Solanum tuberosum
Life Cycle: Annual
Light: Full sun
Planting Depth: 2-3″
Sowing Method: Direct sow
Days to Maturity: 100-125

Pumpkin

Botanical Name: Cucurbita pepo
Life Cycle: Annual
Light: Full sun
Planting Depth: 1″
Sowing Method: Start indoors or direct sow
Days to Maturity: 90-120

Tomato

Botanical Name: Lycopersicon esculentum
Life Cycle: Annual
Light: Full sun
Planting Depth: .25-.5″
Sowing Method: Start indoors
Days to Maturity: 60-90

Basil

Botanical Name: Ocimum basilicum
Life Cycle: Annual
Light: Full sun
Planting Depth: .25″
Sowing Method: Direct sow or start indoors
Days to Maturity: 60-90

Dill

Botanical Name: Anethum graveolens
Life Cycle: Annual
Light: Full sun
Planting Depth: .25″
Sowing Method: Start indoors or direct sow
Days to Maturity: 40-60

Lavender

Botanical Name: Lavandula angustifolia
Life Cycle: Perennial
Light: Full sun
Planting Depth: .125″
Sowing Method: Start indoors or direct sow

Mint

Botanical Name: Mentha
Life Cycle: Perennial
Light: Full sun to part shade
Planting Depth: .5″
Sowing Method: Direct sow or start indoors
Days to Maturity: 60

Nasturtium

Botanical Name: Tropaeolum majus
Life Cycle: Annual
Light: Full sun to part shade
Planting Depth: .5″
Sowing Method: Direct sow

Parsley

Botanical Name: Petroselinum crispum latifolium
Life Cycle: Biennial
Light: Full sun to part shade
Planting Depth: .25″
Sowing Method: Start indoors or direct sow
Days to Maturity: 60-75

Sage (lyre-leafed)

Botanical Name: Salvia lyrata
Life Cycle: Perennial
Light: Full sun to part shade
Planting Depth: .5″
Sowing Method: Start indoors or direct sow

St. John’s Wort

Botanical Name: Hypericum perforatum
Life Cycle: Perennial
Light: Full sun
Planting Depth: .125″
Sowing Method: Start indoors or direct sow
Days to Maturity: 60-90

Thyme

Botanical Name: Thymus vulgaris
Life Cycle: Perennial
Light: Full sun
Planting Depth: .125″
Sowing Method: Start indoors or direct sow
Days to Maturity: 180-200

Wild Chamomile

Botanical Name: Matricaria recutita
Life Cycle: Annual
Light: Full sun
Planting Depth: .125″
Sowing Method: Start indoors or direct sow
Days to Maturity: 60-90

Beard Tongue

Botanical Name: Penstemon digitalis
Life Cycle: Perennial
Light: Full sun/Partial sun
Planting Depth: .5″
Sowing Method: Direct sow
Height: 36″
Bloom Season: Spring

Black-eyed Susan

Botanical Name: Rudbeckia hirta
Life Cycle: Perennial
Light: Full sun/Partial sun
Planting Depth: .5″
Sowing Method: Direct sow
Height: 30″
Bloom Season: Summer, Fall

Blazing Star

Botanical Name: Liatris spicata
Life Cycle: Perennial
Light : Full sun/Partial sun
Planting Depth: .5″
Sowing Method: Direct sow
Height: 48″
Bloom Season: Summer, Fall

Brown-eyed Susan

Botanical Name: Rudbeckia triloba
Life Cycle: Annual
Light: Full sun/Partial sun
Planting Depth: .5″
Sowing Method: Direct sow
Height: 60″
Bloom Season: Fall

Butterfly Weed

Botanical Name: Asclepias tuberosa
Life Cycle: Perennial
Light: Full sun/Partial Sun
Planting Depth: .5″
Sowing Method: Direct sow
Height: 36″
Bloom Season: Summer

Eastern Red Columbine

Botanical Name: Aquilegia canadensis
Life Cycle: Perennial
Light: Full sun/ Partial sun
Planting Depth: .5″
Sowing Method: Direct Sow
Height: 24″
Bloom Season: Summer

Evening Primrose

Botanical Name: Oenothera biennis
Life Cycle: Biennial
Light: Full sun/Partial sun
Planting Depth: .5″
Sowing Method: Direct sow
Height: 48″
Bloom Season: Summer

Indian Blanket

Botanical Name: Gaillardia pulchella
Life Cycle: Annual
Light: Full sun/Partial sun
Planting Depth: .5″
Sowing Method: Direct sow
Height: 24″
Bloom Season: Summer

Lance-Leaf Coreopsis

Botanical Name: Coreopsis lanceolata
Life Cycle: Perennial
Light: Full sun/Partial sun
Planting Depth: .5″
Sowing Method: Direct sow
Height: 48″
Bloom Season: Summer, Fall

New England Aster

Botanical Name: Aster novae angliae
Life Cycle: Perennial
Light: Full sun/Partial sun
Planting Depth: .5″
Sowing Method: Direct sow
Height: 48″
Bloom Season: Summer, Fall

Ox-Eye Sunflower

Botanical Name: Heliopsis helianthoides
Life Cycle: Perennial
Light: Full sun/Partial sun
Planting Depth: .5″
Sowing Method: Direct sow
Height: 72″
Bloom Season: Summer

Patridge Pea

Botanical Name: Chamaecrista fasciculata
Life Cycle: Annual
Light: Full sun/Partial sun
Planting Depth: .5″
Sowing Method: Direct sow
Height: 36″
Bloom Season: Spring

Rigid Goldenrod

Botanical Name: Solidago rigida
Life Cycle: Perennial
Light: Full sun/Partial sun
Planting Depth: .5″
Sowing Method: Direct sow
Height: 60″
Bloom Season: Summer

Spotted Joe Pye Weed

Botanical Name: Eupatorium maculatum
Life Cycle: Perennial
Light: Full sun/Partial sun
Planting Depth: .5″
Sowing Method: Direct sow
Height: 96″
Bloom Season: Summer, Fall

Swamp Milkweed

Botanical Name: Asclepias incarnata
Life Cycle: Perennial
Light: Full sun/ Partial sun
Planting Depth: .5″
Sowing Method: Direct Sow
Height: 48″
Bloom Season: Summer

Sweet Black-Eyed Susan

Botanical Name: Rudbeckia submentosa
Life Cycle: Perennial
Light: Full sun/Partial sun
Planting Depth: .5″
Sowing Method: Direct sow
Height: 30″
Bloom Season: Summer, Fall

Wild Bergamot

Botanical Name: Monarda fistulosa
Life Cycle: Perennial
Light: Full sun/Partial sun
Planting Depth: .5″
Sowing Method: Direct sow
Height: 48″
Bloom Season: Summer, Fall

Wild Lupine

Botanical Name: Lupinus perennis
Life Cycle: Perennial
Light: Full sun/Partial sun
Planting Depth: .5″
Sowing Method: Direct sow
Height: 36″
Bloom Season: Spring, Summer