Planting

  1. Preparation.
    • Remove all sod or other undesirable ground cover in the area where herbaceous layer vegetation is planned.
    • Remove all invasive or problematic species from entire natural landscape area and maintain ground layer by mowing or other means to prevent spread of non-desirable species in areas that will not be planted with native herbaceous plants during the first phase of planting.
  2. Think Big.
    • For the tree and shrub layer, it is best to plant entire natural landscape area as soon as possible due to length of growth time for these species as often younger plant material will grow better and achieve more natural form (and is less expensive)
    • Utilize published guides to determine appropriate tree and shrub species, with consideration to available plant material.
    • Examine existing shading and plan for future shading, taking into account yearly variations in the angle of the sun.
    • If full to partial sun plant communities are planned, plant so that mature trees and shrubs will not shade herbaceous layer (or prepare to have transformation of herbaceous layer over time or utilize species that can be trimmed to maintain necessary lighting conditions).
  3. Think Small.
    • For the herbaceous layer, it is best to start with a smaller area to get a feel for how plants interact.
    • Utilize published guides to determine appropriate herbaceous layer plant material.
    • If target plant community would be a fire dominated plant community, remove all surface organic matter.
    • Plant container based herbaceous material with understanding of appropriate space required for mature plants.
    • Plant seeds more densely to allow for natural selection and understanding that many seeds may not germinate.
    • Plan to clear and plant future herbaceous areas based on lessons learned from initial herbaceous planting with consideration of specific locational considerations.