BIORETENTION AND WETLAND PLANTS

The Power of Plants for Stormwater Management

Right Plant, Right Place

Selecting resilient species that are deep rooted, once established, and can survive periods of drought can help the short and long term functioning of GI installations.

Seasonal Beauty and Interest

Tapping into the power of plants for stormwater management creates opportunities to cultivate beauty in the landscape. Considering the bloom time, form, texture, and color of garden plants can create visual interest throughout all seasons.

Biodiversity Benefits

Native plants that have evolved in step with local wildlife can also support ecological functioning by providing food sources for pollinators, birds, and mammals.

Refined Plant Lists and Drifts

Limiting a species list and installing plants in masses and repeated clusters (or drifts) can create a more natural look, and simplify maintenance. Weeds are often easier to identify in these types of plantings.

Once established, these tough native species can thrive in bioretention areas, like rain gardens and bioswales, which experience intermittent flooding and drought. Some of these species may also be suited for wetland buffers along Waldo Lake and Upper Porter Pond. The Massachusetts Stormwater Handbook reccomends installing one tree or shrub per 50 square feet of bioretention area, and using at least three different herbaceous plant species per design (Structural BMPs - Volume 2 | Chapter 2 page 27).

Wildlife Value

Plant Type Scientific Name Common Name Wetland Buffers?

Already Present in Park?

Pollinator Insects?

Asclepias incarnata Swamp Milkweeds x x Butterflies, Moths

Asters novaeangliae New England Asters x Bees, Butterflies

Chrysogonum virginianum Green and Gold x

Herbaceous

Shrubs

Birds? Mammals?

Carex pensylvanica Pennsylvania Sedge x Birds

Eutrochium purpureum Joepye Weed x x Bees, Butterflies Birds

Panicum virgatum Switchgrass Birds

Solidago rugosa Rough Goldenrod x Bees, Butterflies Birds

Verbena hastata Blue Vervain x Bees

Aronia melanocarpa Black Chokeberry x x Bees, Butterflies Birds Rabbits, Small Mammals

Cephalanthus occidentalis Buttonbush x x Bees, Moths, Butterflies, Wasps Hummingbirds, Waterfowl

Clethra alnifolia Sweet Pepperbush x Bees, Butterflies Hummingbirds Small Mammals

Swida sericea Red-osier Dogwood x

Itea virginica Virginia Sweetspire Butterflies Birds

Lindera benzoin Spicebush x Bees, Flies, Butterflies, Moths Birds Rabbits, Squirrels

Rhus copallinum Winged Sumac Bees Birds Small Mammals

Rosa palustris Swamp Rose Bees Birds

Spiraea tomentosa Steeplebush x Bees, Butterflies Birds

Acer rubrum Red Maple x x Bees Birds nest in it Small Mammals

Amelanchier canadensis

Trees

Serviceberry/ Shadbush x Bees, Butterflies Birds Small Mammals alleghaniensis Yellow/Swamp Birch x Birds Small Mammals

Betula

Liquidambar styraciflua Sweetgum x Birds Small Mammals

Quercus palustrus Pin Oak x

Butterflies, Moths Birds Turkeys, Deer, Small Mammals