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A common characteristic of bioretention cells is that they have shallow earthen slopes, less than 2H:1V.  

A common characteristic of bioretention cells is that they have shallow earthen slopes, less than 2H:1V.  

The design of a bioretention cell allows for several different planting zones.  

The design of a bioretention cell allows for several different planting zones.  

They are can be sited in large landscaped areas, parks, parking lot islands, or any areas where there is space for shallow earthen slopes and the multi-zone planting aesthetic is appropriate.

They are can be sited in large landscaped areas, parks, parking lot islands, or any areas where there is space for shallow earthen slopes and the multi-zone planting aesthetic is appropriate.

==Drainage Areas==

==Drainage areas==

There are two basic categories:

There are two basic categories:

#Exposure to roadway or parking lot runoff. Runoff is contaminated with deicers and vehicle pollutants. These can take on several forms, including parking lot islands, traffic islands, roundabouts, or cul-de-sacs and are often used as [[snow]] storage location

#Exposure to roadway or parking lot runoff. Runoff is contaminated with deicers and vehicle pollutants. These can take on several forms, including parking lot islands, traffic islands, roundabouts, or cul-de-sacs and are often used as [[snow]] storage location

Other selection factors:

Other selection factors:

*Most bioretention cells will be situated to receive full sun exposure.  

*Most bioretention cells will be situated to receive full sun exposure.  

*Facilities with a deeper media bed (greater than 1 m) provide the opportunity for a wider range of plant species (including [[trees]]).  

*Facilities with a deeper media bed (1 m or greater) provide the opportunity for a wider range of plant species, including trees.  

*The inclusion of vegetation with a variety of moisture tolerances ensures that the bioretention cell will adapt to a variety of weather conditions.

*The inclusion of vegetation with a variety of moisture tolerances ensures that the bioretention cell will adapt to a variety of weather conditions.

*Proper spacing must be provided for above-ground and below-ground utilities, and adjacent infrastructure.

*Proper spacing must be provided for above-ground and below-ground utilities, and adjacent infrastructure.

Selecting plant material that will be appropriate for a particular site should take into consideration the local context or setting. Some species, especially rare or potentially aggressive species, are not always conducive to the type of site or objective of the project, especially in areas near or next to natural communities. For example, a green roof that is isolated from all natural areas may be ideal for regionally rare species that are specially adapted to conditions of high exposure and shallow soils. Among the questions that should be asked are:

Selecting plant material that will be appropriate for a particular site should take into consideration the local context or setting. Some species, especially rare or potentially aggressive species, are not always conducive to the type of site or objective of the project, especially in areas near or next to natural communities. For example, a green roof that is isolated from all natural areas may be ideal for regionally rare species that are specially adapted to conditions of high exposure and shallow soils. Among the questions that should be asked are:

*Is this LID site located within, adjacent or close to a natural area? Or, is this LID site location isolated (i.e. beyond 120 m of natural feature) from the natural environment?  

*Is this LID site located within, adjacent or close to a natural area? Or, is this LID site location isolated (i.e. beyond 120 m of natural feature) from the natural environment?  

*What is the composition of the nearby natural area?  

*What is the composition of the nearby natural area?

==Native, Introduced and Rare Plants==

==Native, introduced and rare plants==

The goal of planting design for LID practices is to achieve a sustainable vegetation community that is tailored to the ecological qualities of the site and the aesthetic considerations of the landowner. Plant selection for LID practices is predicated on the principle of ‘right plant for the right place'. Many LID practices are carried out within a highly urbanized context that poses unnatural stresses on plant growth and survival. This guide provides general recommendations to direct species selection. Landscape professionals should use this information to generate specific plant lists that are tailored to the conditions prevalent on site while addressing surrounding urban and natural land uses.  

The goal of planting design for LID practices is to achieve a sustainable vegetation community that is tailored to the ecological qualities of the site and the aesthetic considerations of the landowner. Plant selection for LID practices is predicated on the principle of ‘right plant for the right place'. Many LID practices are carried out within a highly urbanized context that poses unnatural stresses on plant growth and survival. This guide provides general recommendations to direct species selection. Landscape professionals should use this information to generate specific [[plant lists]] that are tailored to the conditions prevalent on site while addressing surrounding urban and natural land uses.  

===Native and Introduced Species===

===Native and introduced species===

Native plants have co-evolved with the local ecosystems and natural processes. They are genetically better adapted to local climate, soils, insects and diseases of the area, and may require less maintenance to ensure health and survival. Working with native plants helps protect local native biodiversity, allows the LID feature to function ecologically while creating a more diverse, naturally-beautiful, landscape.   

Native plants have co-evolved with the local ecosystems and natural processes. They are genetically better adapted to local climate, soils, insects and diseases of the area, and may require less maintenance to ensure health and survival. Working with native plants helps protect local native biodiversity, allows the LID feature to function ecologically while creating a more diverse, naturally-beautiful, landscape.   

Where conditions for growing native plants are inhospitable, diversifying the planting palate with introduced species may have a more successful result. In addition to native species, many introduced plants are grown in nurseries and garden centers and are readily available to landowners.  

Where conditions for growing native plants are inhospitable, diversifying the planting palate with introduced species may have a more successful result. In addition to native species, many introduced plants are grown in nurseries and garden centers and are readily available to landowners.  

*Introduced invasive species should not be planted as these can compromise the function of an LID practice, the ecology of nearby natural areas and can lead to higher maintenance costs. Non-native invasive species have not been included in the LID plant list.  

*Introduced invasive species should not be planted as these can compromise the function of an LID practice, the ecology of nearby natural areas and can lead to higher maintenance costs. Non-native invasive species have not been included in the LID plant list.  

*Except unless otherwise noted, the use of cultivars of native plants should be avoided.  

*Except unless otherwise noted, the use of cultivars of native plants should be avoided.  

*When sourcing native plant material, especially from commercial nurseries and garden centres, always refer to the scientific (botanical) name for the desired plants. Confusion over cultivated varieties of plants can be avoided by asking questions of the staff to ensure that only the correct native varieties are sourced. Species that are often mislabelled and other common concerns are noted in the [[Bioretention: Plant lists]].

*When sourcing native plant material, especially from commercial nurseries and garden centres, always refer to the scientific (botanical) name for the desired plants. Confusion over cultivated varieties of plants can be avoided by asking questions of the staff to ensure that only the correct native varieties are sourced. Species that are often mislabelled and other common concerns are noted in the [[Plant lists]].

===Rare Species===

===Rare Species===