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Key factors in the design of bioretention facilities are careful selection of plant materials that can tolerate highly variable hydrologic changes and an overall planting plan that ecologically and aesthetically blends the facility into the landscape. Designing for ease of maintenance is also a critical element of any landscape plan. Bioretention facilities have a wide range of applications from suburban residential lots to ultra-urban streetscapes. It is the landscape designer’s responsibility to analyze the surrounding site considerations and design a bioretention facility that maximizes water quality enhancement and landscape values. Landscape planning and design should ensure successful bioretention facilities and appropriate aesthetics, without discouraging individual creativity. Consider interactions with adjacent plant communities including the potential to provide links to wildlife corridors. Adjacent plant communities should be evaluated for compatibility with any proposed bioretention area species. Nearby existing vegetated areas dominated by non-native invasive species pose a threat to adjacent bioretention areas. Invasive species typically develop into monocultures by out-competing other species. Mechanisms to avoid encroachment of undesirable species include providing a soil breach between the invasive community for those species that spread through rhizomes and providing annual removal of seedlings from wind borne seed dispersal. It is equally important to determine if there are existing disease or insect infestations associated with existing species on site or in the general area that may affect the bioretention plantings.
Some of the above information was derived from the Prince George's County Bioretention Manual. Photo credit: T.E. Scott & Associates, Inc. |
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Landscaping is a critical component of
bioretention because of the natural ability for plant material to treat
pollutants in urban stormwater. The integration of landscaping also sets
bioretention apart from other best management practices ( BMP ) by allowing the
stormwater practice to be distributed throughout the site - closer to the
pollution sources - while improving the site aesthetics. With the proper
landscaping application with of bioretention, most people interacting with the
built environment will tend to admire the sites aesthetics and not even be aware
that stormwater management exists on the site.