Goodell Replanting

When taking on new planting projects, the UMass Landscape Department selects plant materials with native pollinator species in mind. 

Whether it’s a new flower bed, or redoing an existing one, we focus on supporting native pollinator species. Many existing beds on campus have, in the past, been planted with species which may or may not be beneficial to native pollinators. Recently the landscape department is incorporating more native plants to act as hosts and food sources for wild pollinators. 

A good example of this philosophy is the replanting of the landscape around Goodell Hall at the core of campus.  

Image Credit: Cameron Roach

A female long-horn bee rests on an echinacea flower.

Replanting at Goodell Step-by-Step

At Goodell Hall, the UMass Landscaping Department selected and installed a wide variety of flowering plants native to New England that provide vital resources for native pollinator species. Going forward, the hope is to make more conscious decisions about selecting plants that will most benefit pollinators, when replanting areas around campus. While there will always be a place for purely aesthetic choices in our landscape, always having an eye towards pollinator-friendly plantings is worthwhile. Many species of flowers native to Massachusetts and New England are incredibly attractive, and by incorporating them we can maintain the balance of having a beautiful campus and acting as good stewards to our wild pollinators. 

A step-by-step profile of the replanting efforts at Goodell:

Step one – evaluate existing plant materials and make decisions on what should stay and what should be removed

Step two – selection of pollinator friendly plants that work for the area 

Step three – removal of existing plant matter, grading, soil amendments, erosion control

Step four – purchase and planting of pollinator friendly plants

Yellow witch hazel flowers bloom against a blue sky.

Witch Hazel Collection

On the north side of the building, landscape teams installed a witch hazel collection.  While not all the cultivars are native, witch hazels can provide important resources for wild pollinators as they bloom at times of year when little else is blooming (late fall or early spring). Native fall-blooming witch hazels support a range of pollinators from late season flies, to small bees and have a special relationship with cold-tolerant owlet moths.