Using Native Plants: Implementation

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Using Native Plants Implementation
Evelyn Howell, UW-Madison, Department of
Landscape Architecture March 2008
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The planting is created using a design process
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A. Determine DESIGN CONCEPT and PURPOSE and USE
of the siteB. Perform SITE INVENTORY and
ANALYSISC. Create a PLANTING PLAND. Locate
SOURCES of Materials E. PREPARE the
SiteF. IMPLEMENTG. MANAGEH. MONITOR
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Site Inventory and Analysis
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CREATE A PLANTING PLANLocate plants according to
the design model
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LOCATE SOURCES OF MATERIALS Ecotypes Seed vs.
Seedlings
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Type and Source of Materials Origin Ecotype
Dilemma
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Specify Type of MaterialsSeeded Plantings (Most
often done with prairies, savannas)Hard to
control placement, but results are
naturalSlow results -- first year prairie
plants set down roots, most above-ground growth
is weeds by second growing season, several forbs
may flower-- brown-eyed Susan, yellow coneflower,
often native volunteers such as daisy fleabane
make quite a show by third season, grasses begin
to come into their ownCheap to purchase, may be
able to collect from wildSurvivors well-adapted
to site
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Seed Preparation StepsStratificationScarificat
ionAddition of Inoculants
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Plantings using seedlings/transplants (Woodland
wildflowers most often planted this way as are
smaller prairie plantings)Placement of
different species easy to controlRelatively
Fast -- can expect many species to bloom the
first year may take 2 to 3 years for the
planting to fill inCan be relatively expensive
to purchase plants from nurseriesMay require
care (depends on season, dormant or not),
especially frequent watering
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If use seeds Use seed mixes containing a number
of species Use one mix for entire site or
separate mixes by microclimate, seed type,
life form, or successional stage Generally
plant in early spring or fall some seeds best
planted immediately after harvest
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To Choose SpeciesStart with list of desired
design components and select species to represent
each, based on availability Bloom Time Flower,
Fruit, Foliage Color Texture Height,
Spread Family Species Associations
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To figure planting mix, need to
determineAmount of seed per area (40 - 60
seeds per square foot)Number of seeds per unit
weight for each speciesProportion of mix for
each speciesGermination percentages for each
species
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If use plants or seedlings

• Show locations of major design components
  (grasses, spring blooming forbs, white flowers,
  short plants, etc.) on sketch of planting bed
• Using Design Model, and site and species
  information, select species to represent each
  design component
• Figure at least 1 plant per square foot on
  average

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Prairie Design Model Vista

• Used in relatively large spaces meant to be
  viewed from a distance
• Use only a few species, but with a range of bloom
  times
• Use 90 grass plants for every 10 forb plants
• Arrange forbs in monospecific groups -- drifts

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Prairie Design Model Close-Up

• At least twice as many species as Vista Model.
  At least 20 species, even on a small lot
• 50 to 70 grasses 30 - 50 forbs
• Choose forbs so that 1/4 bloom in spring, 1/2 in
  summer, 1/4 in fall
• Choose at east 1 species from the leading
  Families

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Purpose of Site Preparation

• Manage/deplete undesirables
• Create good planting medium
• Ameliorate environment

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Site Preparation Techniques

• Mulch
• Till
• Burn
• Strip
• Herbicide

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Plant
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