Plant selection plays a key role in the long-term success of the green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) design. Engaging communities in the plant selection process helps ensure that aesthetics—from naturalistic to formal—reflect their preferences.
Light Requirement:• Sun = >6 hours of direct sunlight
• Part Sun = 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Shade = <3 hours of direct sunlight
Moisture Requirements:• Banks = drier soil, no flooding
• Slopes = average soil, short periods of flooding
• Basin = wetter soil, up to 24 hours of flooding
Layer:Based on Rainer & West
Planting in a Post-Wild World
• Groundcover = spread to cover the ground
• Seasonal = interest with color or texture
• Structural = height and architectural form
Height:• Very short = <1 foot
• Short = 1-3 feet
• Medium = 3-5 feet
• Tall = 5-7 feet
• Very tall = >7 feet
Illinois Native Plant:• Yes = native to Illinois pre-European settlement
• Yes* = cultivar of an Illinois native plant
• No = species not native to Illinois
Soil Requirements:• Acidic = pH <7
• Clay = high percentage of clay particles
• Loam = equal proportions of sand, silt, and clay
• Most Soils = tolerant of most soil types
• Organically Rich = high organic content
• Rock = rocky material
• Sand = high percentage of sand particles
• Saturated = never dries out