Plants For Riparian Areas - Tips For Planning A Riparian Garden

1. What is riparian planting?
2. How can I improve my riparian zone?
3. What does riparian vegetation include?
4. Why are farmers planting riparian zones?
5. What should I plant next to my stream?
6. What is a riparian margin?

What is riparian planting?

Riparian planting means 'planting the areas beside waterways'. Plants that are used along the sides of waterways include flax, cabbage trees, toe toe, hebe, broadleaf, and much more! Farmers use mostly native plants with a mix of non-native plants for long-lasting planting.

How can I improve my riparian zone?

A water catching landscape with good soil health will absorb and store rainfall, allowing for slow and prolonged release. Management of upland areas to reduce runoff volume and slow runoff rates will help maintain riparian areas. Poorly managed upland areas repel water and increase runoff rates.

What does riparian vegetation include?

Riparian vegetation grows along banks of a waterway extending to the edge of the floodplain (also known as fringing vegetation). This includes the emergent aquatic plants growing at the edge of the waterway channel and the ground cover plants, shrubs and trees within the riparian zone.

Why are farmers planting riparian zones?

Many farmers, ranchers and land managers have a growing concern over water quality issues. Riparian buffers are one of the most important practices that you can use to help control non- point pollution and improve water quality. ... These plants control erosion and help filter and keep water clean.

What should I plant next to my stream?

Evergreen and deciduous shrubs make effective plantings for stream buffers, either combined with trees or on their own. The red osier dogwood, winterberry, and ninebark are shrubs that will grow well in this environment, help provide a good habitat for wildlife, and look good all year.

What is a riparian margin?

Riparian margins are strips of land along the edges of natural watercourses including streams, lakes and wetlands. They are the transitional area from land to water.