Native Plants for Your Shoreline
Andy Arens
Forestry/Shoreland
Forestry/
Shoreland Specialist
Itasca County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD)
(SWCD)
Grand Rapids, Minnesota
More specifically----specifically-----re
re--establishing a native
vegetation buffer between the waters edge
and developed high use areas such as
mowed lawns.
Why rere-establish native vegetation buffers?
To help stabilize the shoreline and reduce erosion
- Roots are the skeletal system that holds the bank together. Turf
grass roots are typically only a couple inches deep, while native
vegetation roots can penetrate a couple feet or more.
Water quality benefits
- Reduced nutrient loading from soil sediment
i.e., less phosphorus and therefore
less likelihood of algae blooms.
- Natural filtering of runoff before it reaches the lake
*soil sediment, lawn fertilizers, phosphorus
from pet droppings,
droppings, etc
etc..
Natural aesthetics
Wildlife habitat, w/ the exception of geese.
Why Minnesota Native and Northern MN Hardy Species?
Native species are less likely to become overly aggressive and
outcompete other desirable native species; these introduced and
aggressive species are referred to as being noxious or invasive.
Adapted to the climate and growing season.
Less required maintenance.
An Itasca County success story example:
Year 2000 planting
September 2007
Buffer Type Options
No mow
- Simply quit mowing.
- Can be a good starting point.
- Typically results in mostly native grasses w/ scattered wildflowers.
Site preparation and then planting.
- More control over the species planted, quantities of each,
arrangement, etc
More extensive site preparation and then seeding.
- Typically cheaper than plants.
- Best on flat sites.
(more detail regarding site prep, plants vs seed, and costs,
will be covered later in the presentation)
Stiff Sunflower
(Helianthus pauciflorus)
pauciflorus)
How?....What’s the first step?
Generate a plan
- Think about what type of project:
*no*no-mow, plants, or seed.
*wildflowers, grasses, shrubs, and/or trees.
- Determine soil and sunlight conditions of the site
*wet, moist, dry – sun, shade or partial sun
- Measure the square footage of the planting area.
- Determine arrangement – trees and shrubs at the bank for
erosion prevention, mix wildflower species, species clumps, etc.
- Sketch it out on paper
Fireweed
(Epilobium angustifolium)
angustifolium)
2nd Step – Objectives and site preparation considerations
Site preparation greatly affects the future appearance and necessary
maintenance of a planting.
For ex: if you want a lot of flowers, versus natural grasses, more site prep should
be done, in order to minimize future dede-weeding.
- Native grasses are more hearty and aggressive then native wildflowers.
(more detail later in the presentation)
More natural appearing plantings, which tend to be dominated by native grasses,
need less site prep, or may not need any.
Recommended site preparation options include mechanical (mowing), mechanical
followed by the use of black plastic, and seed bed preparation for seeding.
Herbicide treatment is also a possibility (typically nonnon-selective).
Example: Spring 07 planting, and picture
taken fall 08, so after two growing
seasons. Minimal site prep consisting
of mowing and applying wood chip mulch
prior to planting.
(more detail on wood mulch later in the
presentation)
Black Plastic Site Preparation
Black Plastic down for one month.
Make sure it’s tight, and especially on the edges
- Works due to extreme temperatures and lack of light, so if it isn’t
tight on the edges, cool air will get in, and it won’t be as successful.
Heavy plastic so that light doesn’t penetrate, and so that it holds up for a
month (rips will allow cooler air in).
Grass isn’t dead until it’s brown, dry and crunchy. Even if it’s pale yellow,
but not dry, it will often come back to life.
3rd Step - Objectives and Plants versus Seed
Actively growing plants or seed?
- Do you want a specific mix of species and more control over species
placement,, etc
placement
etc?
? – think plants
- or - Is a more natural mix of numerous species desired? – a seed mix
may be the way to go.
- Seed is typically less expensive, but needs more site prep.
- Plants versus seed is also site dependent
*Seeding success decreases on slopes, and additional
measures are recommended on slopes greater than 2:1, or 20
degrees, such as a coconut fiber planting blanket.
Step 4 - Objectives and Cost Considerations
Native wildflower and grass seed is typically much less expensive than actively
growing plants.
- For example, a 500 square foot (5ft wide by 100ft along the shore)
average density wildflower planting of eighteen inches between
plugs, with some grasses, will likely cost between $300 and $350 if plants
are used,
used, versus $30 if prepre-mixed seed is planted.
Cost examples for native stock:
* 5 inch average height wildflowers and grasses: $1 to $2/plant
* 10 inch average height shrubs:
shrubs: $3 to $5 each
* 8 inch average height trees: $1 to $3 each (for smaller quantities)
* PrePre-mixed wildflower and grass seed: $20$20-$30/500 sq feet (likely more
expensive for custom seed mixes)
Step 5 – Choose the type of stock, species & planting spacing
A mix of trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and grasses is ideal for erosion prevention
and filtering. The woody tree and shrub roots bind the bank together deep, while
the wildflowers and grasses provide fibrous roots to bind the surface soil.
Species selection
- It’s important to match species requirements to site characteristics. For
example, Blue Flag Iris needs moist ground, and simply wouldn’t
survive if planted on a sandy soil.
*Start with a list of species whose growth requirements
match the site characteristics, such as the soil moisture and
amount of sun, which was previously covered.
Determine spacing
- One, to one and a half foot spacing when extensive site preparation is
done, in order to re
re--establish continuous growth wi
wi// a couple yrs.
- Wider spacing if less site prep is done, or none, and more prepre-existing
native grass is the desired outcome.
- Planting within unun-mowed native vegetation is not recommended. The
plants simply won’t get enough sunlight under the existing grass, and
typically don’t survive.
Species Selection Resources:
MN DNR Website: www.dnr.state.mn.us
- Pictures and information for common native Minnesota trees,
trees,
shrubs and wildflowers.
- Lists of plants common to Minnesota, including native/non
native/non-native status.
- A listing, pictures, and information, about the handful of
highly invasive species common to Minnesota.
Minnesota.
NRCS PLANTS Database: http://plants.usda.gov/
MN DNR “Restore Your Shore” CD – Available through “Minnesota’s
Bookstore” for $
$29.95,
29.95, @ http://www.minnesotasbookstore.com
- Possibly available for sale at extension and DNR offices.
Handouts – County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD)
offices, MN Extension Service.
Service.
- Species information and pictures on the Itasca SWCD website, at
www.itascaswcd.org
Local native vegetation growers - general advice, or for hire.
Itasca SWCD Native Species Information Tables
Native Perennial Wildflower, Grass and Sedge Information
Wildflowers
WET
Flower Color
Bloom Period
Other Traits
1-2’
Bluish-Purple
May-July
FP
2.5-4’
Dark Pink
Jul-Sept
FP
2-4’
Medium Pink
Jun-Aug
F
2.5-5’
Purple
Jul-Sept
1-2’
White
May-July
2-4’
Lavender
Jul-Aug
1-3’
Deep Purple
July-August
1-2’
Orange
July-August
F
2-4’
Lite Pink
June
FP
2-3’
Yellow
June-Sept
F
2-3’
Purple
Aug-Sept
Large showy flower/flood
tolerant/early season bloom
Large showy flower
head/attract butterflies
Good shoreline species/
attract Monarch Butterflies
Cylindrical subtle flower
/readily reseeds
Natural spread via roots/
lush green foliage
Attracts butterflies and
Hummingbirds/Aromatic
Mint family/Deep green
aromatic foliage
Large showy bloom/Tolerates
droughty soils and direct sun
½ inch diameter red fruit
attracts wildlife/prickly stems
Blooms 1st season/large showy
flowers/long bloom period
Unique vertical form/
good rock garden species
FP
FP
FP
Spacing
MOIST
DRY
Y
Sun
*
F
F
FP
FP
F
F
FPS
FP
F
Spacing
Height
1 – 3 Feet
Preferred Soil
WET
*F = Full Sun, P = Partial Sun, S = Shade
Height
FP
DRY
Grasses and Sedges
Bottlebrush Sedge (Carex comosa)
Canada Blue Joint (Calamagrosti canadensis)
Woolgrass (Scirpus cyperinus)
Sweet Grass (Hierochloe odorata)
Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum)
Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)
Virginia Wild Rye (Elymus virginicus)
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
Canada Wild Rye (Elymus canadensis)
Sun
*
F
1 – 3 Feet
MOIST
Blue Flag Iris
(Iris versicolor)
Spotted Joe-Pye Weed
(Eupatorium maculatum)
Swamp Milkweed
(Asclepias incarnata)
Blue Vervain
(Verbena hastata)
Canada Anemone
(Anemone canadensis)
Wild Bergamot
(Monarda fistulosa)
Giant Blue Hyssop
(Agastache foeniculum)
Butterfly Weed
(Asclepias tuberosa)
Prairie Rose
(Rosa arkansana)
Black-Eyed Susan
(Rudbeckia hirta)
Rough Blazing Star
(Liatris aspera)
Preferred Soil
2-4’
3-5’
3-5’
1-2’
3-5’
2.5-5’
2-4’
1-2.5’
3-5’
Other Traits
Unique “bottle brush” seed head
Good spread via roots/good for stabilizing large areas
Large fuzzy seed head/wet to moist soils
Low growing/lush green color/pleasant sweet scent
Reddish-brown fall color
Red bronze color/also known as “Turkey Foot”
Grows in clusters/early seed head/tolerates shade
Reddish purple in fall, fluffy seed head
Drought tolerant/large and unique seed head
Native Wildflowers
Swamp Milkweed
Blue Flag Iris
Spotted Joe-Pye Weed
White Turtlehead
Wild Bergamot
Blue Vervain
Canada Anemone
Columbine
Butterfly Weed
Giant Blue Hyssop
Prairie Rose
Black-eyed Susan
Rough Blazing Star
Step 6 – Calculate quantities
Square the planting spacing to determine square footage per plant, and divide
from total square footage.
- Example: 500 square foot planting area and 1.5 foot spacing between
wildflowers.
*1.5X1.5=2.25, so account for 2.25 square feet per plant
*500 square feet divided by 2.25 sq feet/plant = 222 plants,
so order about 220, 225, etc
- Granted, when you’re planting, you’re not going to be measuring
exactly 1.5 feet between each plant, but it is important to accurately
measure the planting area, and do this calculation, so that you purchase
the proper amount of plants.
Step 7 – Choose a vendor and place your order
Regional vendors – who specialize in MN native, N MN hardy species:
- Sunshine Gardens - Pine River, MN – wildflower, grass and sedge
plugs, and small potted shrubs (plugs are small “potted” plants):
218--947218
947-3154
- Great River Gardens - Aitkin, MN - wildflower, grass and sedge plugs,
and small potted shrubs: 218218-927
927--3207
- Prairie Restorations, Boreal Natives Division – Cloquet
Cloquet,, MN – various
sizes of wildflowers, grasses, and sedges and shrubs, 1 to 10 gallon
potted trees, aquatic bulrushes, and both prepre-packaged and custom seed
mixtures: 218218-729
729--7001
- Itasca SWCD spring sale in Grand Rapids - wildflower, grass and sedge
plugs, small potted shrubs, seedling and transplant sized trees, and preprepackaged wildflower and grass seed mixtures: 218218-326
326--0017
- Itasca Greenhouse – Cohasset, MN – Seedling and transplant sized
trees and shrubs: 218218-328
328--6261
- For large quantity orders, plan ahead and order early. Ideally order the
fall prior to a spring planting.
Step 8 - Consider mulch needs
After site prep of pre
pre--existing vegetation is done, a mulch should be
applied 2 inches thick prior to planting.
- Inhibits rere-growth of pre
pre--existing vegetation, and increases
soil moisture retention.
- Chipped or shredded wood mulches are ideal
*Shredded on slopes and in areas where waves may
break on the mulch / chips on generally flat sites.
- Straw or hay can be used, but it may contain seed of
unwanted species.
Tree service companies will often drop off a load of chipped wood mulch;
sometimes free if they are working in the area, or for a much cheaper
price than by the bag.
Farm service stores, hardware stores, and retail chains in outdoor
departments sell wood mulch, and typically in 3 cubic foot bags.
- Typically around $4 per 3 cubic foot bag for chipped, and $5/bag
for shredded.
- One 3 cubic foot bag typically covers about 30 square feet =
approximately $75 per 500 square feet of planting area.
Final Step – Planting
Spring is ideal, once evening temps are staying well above freezing.
- Typically mid to late May in Itasca County.
- Ideally should plant well before the hot and dry conditions of mid summer; before
June 15th, ideally.
First apply the mulch 2 inches thick across the planting area.
Second, while still in the containers, arrange the plants throughout the planting area; this
confirms even distribution, desired species placement, and speeds up planting.
Create a divot in the mulch prior to digging the hole and planting the plug, and leave the
divot after planting. This prevents plant stem breakage and decay. Creating these divots
also increases the mulch thickness through the planting area to the ideal 3 inch thickness.
Cordless drills with 2” diameter wood working spade bits are handy for wildflower plugs,
and bulb augers work well for shrubs and trees.
Make the planting fun ----- so family and friends will come help.
If you would like to hire the project done, following is contact information for two regional
contractors that I’m aware of, who specialist in this type of work; both contractors could
also supply the planting stock:
- Sunshine Gardens in Pine River: 218
218--947947-3154
- Prairie Restorations, Boreal Natives division in Cloquet:
Cloquet: 218
218--729
729--7001
For a fee, you may also be able to hire a Conservation Corp youth crew (formerly the
Minnesota DNR Conservation Corp), to perform the planting:
http://www.conservationcorps.org/
Maintenance
For the first year or two, during any droughty periods, watering is recommended.
Beyond that, maintenance is dependent upon objectives.
- On more natural native grass dominated buffers with scattered
native wildflower accent color, dede-weeding isn’t necessary.
However, if you planted strong to wildflowers, and you want to maintain that
wildflower dominance, dede-weeding is necessary.
- The natural balance is 80/20 - grasses/wildflowers, so dede-weeding is
necessary to maintain wildflower quantities generally greater than 20%
- Better site prep up front will reduce the amount of de
de--weeding in
the years ahead.
- Start as soon as undesirable species/grasses start coming in,
before they overtake the planting, and dede-weed at least once each
growing season, to stay on top of it.
* Extensive site prep and
dede-weeding for showier
wildflower plantings
Cost Share Possibilities
Itasca County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD):
- Eligible for water and/or soil saving projects; ie,
ie, must be some
erosion occurring, or significant storm
storm--water runoff prevention
potential, etc.
- Fund availability varies year to year. Contact Andy for more
information, at 218218-326
326--0017 or [email protected]
MN DNR Block Grant
- Intended for larger scale projects or a number of projects on one
proposal.
- Minimum buffer size requirements are 25 feet wide,
perpendicular to the shoreline, and 75% of lake shore lot frontage
-One to one match, i.e. 50% cost share rate
- For more information:
*MN DNR website: www.dnr.state.mn.us
*John Hiebert
Hiebert,, Shoreland Habitat Coordinator
with the MN DNR:
*651--259
*651
259--5212 or [email protected]
Possible sources of additional information and technical assistance:
Local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD):
(SWCD):
- May vary for other Counties, but the Itasca Co SWCD will assist with the
planning process.
- Contact Andy ArensArens-Forestry/Shoreland
Forestry/Shoreland Specialist at 218218-326326-0017,
[email protected] or 1889 E Hwy 2 in La Prairie.
MN Extension Service:
- Mary Blickenderfer
- Specializes in shoreland stabilization
via bio means, such as native plantings.
- Office in Grand Rapids but works throughout MN
- 218218-327327-4616 or [email protected]
MN DNR:
- Heather Baird
- Regional DNR Shoreland Specialist
- Office in Brainerd
- 218218-833833-8648
or [email protected]
Questions?
Year 2000
to
Present