Ecosystem Journal
Spencer Brook Farm is located on the ancestral and unceded lands of the Massachusett, Pawtucket, Agawam, and Nipmuc peoples.
We acknowledge and honor their enduring relationship with this land. The farm sits within the continental temperate growing zone 6b, along the 42.495772° north parallel, where the climate supports a rich diversity of native plants, animals, and agricultural practices that continue to shape the region's ecological heritage.
Wild Lupine (Lupinus perennis)
(Lupinus perennis)
Wild lupine is a native perennial wildflower that grows in sandy, well-drained soils commonly found in Concord’s open meadows and pine barrens. Sporting tall spikes of vibrant blue to purple flowers in late spring, it is a critical host plant for the endangered Karner blue butterfly and attracts a variety of native pollinators. Its nitrogen-fixing roots improve soil fertility, supporting ecosystem health in temperate habitats.
Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium)
A hardy, low-growing shrub native to the northeastern United States and eastern Canada, the lowbush blueberry thrives in acidic, well-drained soils and open woodlands. It produces sweet, small blue berries in mid to late summer and plays a crucial ecological role by providing food for wildlife and supporting pollinators. Its leaves turn vibrant red in the fall, adding seasonal color to the landscape.