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Plants have specific functions in relation to LID practices as well as aesthetic qualities. These include promotion of [[infiltration]], treatment of pollutants and stabilization of soil. The plant species that have been selected for each LID practice as described in the plant list table have been selected based on functionality, survivability, suitability and availability. The landscape professional should use this list as a guide, taking into consideration the appropriate planting zone, the size of the planting area versus size of the plant at maturity, tolerances to drought or periodic inundation, low maintenance requirements and adaptability. Invasive plants are inappropriate for LID practices.
The Plant List describes the characteristics of each plant species to assist the designers of an LID practice in the selection of appropriate vegetation. The definitions of these characteristics are listed below:
===Soil Moisture===
Plant species are adapted to specific levels of moisture to achieve establishment and sustained growth. Soil moisture has been characterized by three categories: Dry (D), Moist (M) and Wet (W). Some plants can tolerate a wide range of moisture regimes, whereas others perform optimally in a more narrow range of soil moisture conditions. Species soil moisture preferences denoted with a dash can tolerate a range of conditions. Species that prefer a specific level of soil moisture are described with one letter (D, M or W) or a combination of letters such as MD (mid-way between Moist and Dry) or WM (mid-way between Wet and Moist).
===Partial Shade Tolerance===
Plant species react differently to varying levels of sunlight and shade. Plant adaptations to these parameters are referred to in terms of degree of exposure. Most of the LID practices will be installed in newly developed areas, thereby providing exposure to full sun, meaning at least 6 full hours of direct sunlight for plantings. As trees develop over several years, or if an LID practice is installed in an area where there are existing trees or buildings providing partial shade, plants adapted to 3 to 6 hours of sunlight exposure should be used. Plants tolerant of full shade require less than 3 hours of direct sunlight each day. However, some shade-adapted species come into leaf early in the growing season in order to take advantage of full sunlight before tree leaves emerge and create shade.
Our tables indicate whether the species in question is tolerant of shade at all. For more information, consult the sources below.
===Drought Tolerance===
These categories represent broad generalizations regarding drought tolerance.
===Salt Tolerance===
The categories of Low, Medium and High are indicative of the tolerance of plant species to salt exposure and/or uptake. Plant species with low salt tolerance should not be used in any LID practice that receives runoff from salted roads and parking lots. Species with medium salt tolerance can be utilized in LID practices that will be receiving road runoff but should not be in the line of salt spray or be receiving the bulk of the runoff. Species with high salt tolerance should be planted in LID practices that receive road or parking lot runoff that routinely contains road salt. Few plants are truly halophytic or “salt-loving”. in most cases elevated salt levels are temporary and precipitation quickly dilutes and removes salt from the soil profile. The Master Plant List includes some species that are recommended for planting should be planted in LID practices that are likely to receive road or parking lot runoff.
===Pollution and Compaction Tolerance===
===STEP Stars===
{| class="wikitable"
! Organization !! Coverage !! Types of Material !! Website
|-
| Evergreen Native Plant Database || Canada / Ontario || Grasses, Ferns, Herbaceous, Shrubs, Trees, Vines || http://nativeplants.evergreen.ca/
|-
| Online Plant Guide || USA || Grasses, Ferns, Herbaceous, Shrubs, Trees, Vines, Ornamental || http://onlineplantguide.com/Index.aspx
|-
| North American Native Plant Society || N. America || Grasses, Ferns, Herbaceous, Shrubs, Trees, Vines || http://www.nanps.org/plant/plantlist.aspx
|-
| University of Connecticut || USA || Shrubs, Trees, Ornamentals || http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/
|}
==See Also==
*[[Swales|Bioswales]]
*[[Rain gardens]]
*[[Trees]]
*[[Materials]]
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