P4.3: Use Appropriate Plants

Required

INTENT

Improve landscape performance and reduce resource use by installing only plants that are appropriate for site conditions, climate, and design intent.

REQUIREMENTS

• Use only appropriate plant species that are suitable for site conditions, climate, and design intent. Both native plants and non-natives may qualify.
• Use plants that are nursery-grown, legally harvested, or salvaged for reuse from on or off site. All nursery-grown plants must use an applicable regional standard or regionally adopted guidelines. If no regional standards or guidelines exist, nursery-grown plants must use the ANSI Z60.1-2004 American Standard for Nursery Stock.

RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES

• Select plants that will thrive in the climate and conditions of the site. Avoid invasive species that may jeopardize local ecosystems.
• Refer to municipal lists of recommended appropriate and native plant species. Crosscheck with state and federal noxious weed and invasive plants lists (see Soil+Veg P4.2: Control and manage invasive plants).
• If turf grasses are to be used, select them to be regionally appropriate and minimize post-establishment requirements for irrigation, pesticide, fertilizer, and maintenance.
• Contact local and regional governmental agencies, consultants, educational facilities, and native plant societies as resources for the selection of plants appropriate for the site.
• For tree plantings, use the ANSI A300 Best Management Practices for Tree Planting as a guide.
• Plant diversity provides resistance to insect and disease pests; as a general guide for larger sites, plant no more than 10 percent of any species, no more than 20 percent of any genus, and no more than 30 percent of any family. For smaller sites, select species that contribute to the plant diversity of the community and region as a whole.

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