Diversity Strip
| Part of the Organic Apple Project is focused on insect diversity and its potential role in preventing and maintaining lower pest populations. We are consciously attempting to design the ecological diversity around the orchard to enhance and protect insects that are beneficial for the orchard. The plants for our diversity strips along the borders of the orchard were selected primarily for their ability to provide nectar, pollen and refuge for beneficial insects by flowering at different intervals throughout the growing season. The second selection criteria for plants was focused more specifically on the environment around the orchard at this site. Since we are using perennial plants that will not need to be replaced annually we selected plants that are hardy, tolerant of full sun and the sandy well drained soil that is present at this location. In addition many of the selections are plant varieties that are native to Michigan. |
 |
 |
|
Species
|
Common Name
|
Bloom
|
Native
|
Planted
|
|
Row #1 (inside row)
|
| 1. Fragaria virginiana | Wild Strawberry |
E
|
Yes
|
X
|
| 2. Campanula rotundifolia | Bluebells |
M
|
Yes
|
|
| 3. Lupinis perennis | Lupine |
E
|
Yes
|
X
|
| 4. Liataris aspera | Rough Blazing Star |
M
|
Yes
|
|
| 5. Penstemon hirsutus | No. Foxglove, Beardtongue |
E
|
Yes
|
X
|
| 6. Coreopsis lanceolata | Tickseed |
M
|
No,
MN
|
X
|
| 7. Rudbeckia hirta | Black-Eyed Susan |
M
|
No,
MN
|
X
|
| 8. Monarda fistulosa | Wild Bergamot (Bee Balm) |
L
|
No,
MN
|
X
|
| 9. Allium alliacae | Chive |
E
|
No
|
X
|
| Row #2 (outside row) |
| 10. Anemone virginiana | Tall Thimbleweed |
E
|
Yes
|
|
| 11. Geranium maculata | Wild Geranium |
E
|
Yes
|
|
| 12. Ascelepias syricae | MI Common Milk weed |
M
|
Yes
|
X
|
| 13. Asclepias tuberosa | Butterfly weed |
M
|
No,
MN
|
X
|
| 14. Solidago juncea | Early Goldenrod |
M-L
|
Yes
|
|
| 15. Valeriana officinalis | Valerian |
E-M
|
No
|
X
|
| 16. Helianthus mollis | Western Sunflower |
M
|
Yes
|
X
|
| 17. Helianthus helianthoides | False Sunflower |
M
|
No,
MN
|
X
|
| 18. Helianthus occidentalis | Downy Sunflower |
L
|
Yes
|
|
Key
|
| Bloom | E - Early (May - early June), M - Mid (late June - July), L - Late (August - September) |
| Native | Native plants were sourced from WildTypes (Mason, MI). Ecotype noted where known for non-natives. |
| Planted |
The first phase of the 2003 planting occurred on 3/19/03. The second planting is planned for the last week in June depending on availability. |