Download Landscaping - Broward County!

The National Wildlife Federation has recognized Broward County
as a Certified Community Wildlife Habitat and a Flyway City.
The National Wildlife Federation works to protect, restore and
preserve habitat for native and migratory wildlife. Visit www.
nwf.org to learn more about their programs and initiatives.
Exotic Species
Invasive exotic fish and plants have been introduced into water bodies purposefully or accidentally,
altering water flow, native habitat, and nesting grounds for wildlife. Be responsible. Do not dispose
of aquarium fish, plants, or water in or near water bodies. Check boats and trailers after each use to
prevent the spread of exotic plants and animals. Exotic plants (e.g., water hyacinth, hydrilla, Eurasian
milfoil, etc.) and sea life (e.g., zebra mussels) may become attached to boats and trailers when used
on an affected waterway. Any that are found should be removed and disposed of in a trash bin.
Aquatic weed control often constitutes the greatest operational expense for water managers.
If we use less fertilizer, fewer chemicals and mechanical controls will be needed as part of aquatic
plant management.
Landscaping
Get Involved
on the Edge
• Get your yard certified
• Participate in waterway and roadside cleanups
• Attend a NatureScape Broward or Know the Flow class
Make a difference for people, plants, and animals.
Smart steps for
successful landscaping
on the water’s edge
www.broward.org/naturescape
For more information:
Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata).
Once sold as an aquarium plant, it is today a prohibited invasive exotic that takes considerable resources
to control in our waterways. Hydrilla has been shown to out compete phytoplankton communities for
nutrients, thereby destabilizing the aquatic food chain and leading to lower fish populations.
Environmental Protection and Growth Management Department
Natural Resources Planning and Management Division
1 N. University Drive
Suite 201
Plantation, Fl 33324-2038
954-519-0317
South Florida Water Management District
800-423-1476
Natural Resources Planning and
Management Division
www.broward.org
Melaleuca Trees were planted in Florida to help drain the Everglades and wetlands. Today, they
are being eradicated to restore the ecology and natural water holding capacity of wetlands. Mulch
made from the exotic Melaleuca is a better choice for landscapes than mulch made from native
Cypress trees. For more information on invasive exotic plant species, contact NatureScape or visit
the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council website at: www.fleppc.org.
While we are visitors on the water, fish
and other creatures are permanent
residents. Our landscape practices and
maintenance methods can improve the
aquatic experience for all.
Board of County Commissioners
Josephus Eggelletion, Jr.
Sue Gunzburger
Kristin D. Jacobs
Ken Keechl
Ilene Lieberman
Stacy Ritter
John E. Rodstrom, Jr.
Diana Wasserman-Rubin
Lois Wexler
An equal opportunity employer and provider of services.
This public document can be made available in large print, tape cassette or Braille by request.
This public document was promulgated at a cost of $2,460.00 or $0.492 to inform the public about smart steps
for successful landscaping on the water’s edge .
Printed on recycled paper.
Natural Resources Planning
and Managment Division
What is a right-of-way or an easement?
What is a littoral zone?
The area in which shoreline plants grow is known as the littoral zone. In the case of coastal waters, it
is the area between high and low tide.
A right of way is an area along a water body that is
owned by government agencies to maintain a canal
or lake. A water management district owns this land.
Trees, shrubs, and structures are discouraged in this area
because they can block access of maintenance vehicles.
They also have the potential to possibly fall in and
obstruct or impede water flow during hurricanes.
Planted littoral zones:
•Slow the flow of runoff
•Filter nutrients and sediments from runoff
•Hold soil in place
•Help prevent wave action erosion of shorelines
•Create or restore wildlife habitat
•Add beauty and increase property values
This typical neighborhood lake bank provides
no habitat for wildlife. Pesticides and fertilizers
can easily run off into water. Opportunities exist
to expand habitat and improve water quality
by replacing turfgrass with native shrubs and
ground covers.
B
Living on the water presents benefits
and responsibilities
Littoral plants remove nutrients, prevent
erosion, and attract wildlife.
roward County has over 1,700 miles of canals and hundreds of man-made lakes. These
water bodies are part of an extensive drainage and flood control system, but also provide essential
aquifer recharge and a wealth of recreational opportunities and valuable wildlife habitat.
An easement allows an operating entity, such as a water
management district, homeowners association, or local
government to use and manage the land. The language
on your deed or land title will usually read “Canal or
Lake Maintenance Easement.” If this is the case,
approval may be required before planting or removing
any vegetation.
Step 2
Evaluate the environment along the waterbody
•Identify existing plants to determine if they are native or exotic. Plan for the removal of any plants
identified as invasive exotics. Contact the County Extension office (954/370-3725) for assistance
with identification.
•Determine if the bank has a proper slope elevation to ensure safe access during planting.
The condition and maintenance of the adjacent shorelines strongly influences the quality of these
water bodies, with implications for water supply, flood control, and dependent wildlife.
Many shorelines have been altered with seawalls to stabilize banks and provide for boat docks,
while others may be severely eroded. These altered shorelines inhibit the establishment of shoreline
vegetation that provide natural removal of pollutants and contaminants present in storm water and
landscape runoff.
What is a proper slope elevation?
Other environmental concerns are:
Shoreline overdevelopment
Aquatic weeds
Decline in fish and aquatic organisms
Loss of habitat
Water clarity
Exotic species
For every four feet out, there is a drop of one foot. If we continued this graphic off the right hand side
of the page the slope would eventually become very steep or drop off. This applies to retention areas
and lake banks but not to canal banks. Established for safety reasons, this gradual sloping would
allow someone who falls in to climb back out. Homeowners Associations or individual property owners
may be responsible for maintaining a proper slope elevation. Verify slope elevation compliance to
avoid disturbance of new plantings during any pending slope elevation rehabilitation efforts. If you
do not have a safe slope, consider hiring a professional to install the plants.
A Florida-friendly shoreline helps to reduce water pollution by acting as a buffer between a water
body and pollution sources. In contrast, traditional landscapes are often sources of pollution.
Regardless of what type of waterfront property you have, you can help protect Florida’s natural
resources through:
Shoreline protection
Landscape design
Proper maintenance
How can shoreline vegetation help?
Shoreline plants utilize nutrients present in runoff and filter water that recharges the aquifer. Planting
with appropriate shoreline plants also creates critical wildlife habitat. There is a direct correlation
between the height of a plant and its capacity for absorbing nutrients - in other words, taller is better.
A vegetated tree-lined shoreline may also provide shade that helps keep water temperatures lower,
resulting in a favorable habitat for fish and other desirable aquatic organisms.
Step 1
Determine who owns and manages
the body of water:
•Homeowners Association
•Municipality
•Broward County
•South Florida Water Management District
•Local Drainage District
•State of Florida
•Other
Check with them to determine if there are
restrictions to planting on the edge, such as
in the right of ways or easement. Sovereign
submerged land belongs to the State of Florida.
How can you find out which Drainage/Water
Control District you live in? Look on your tax
bill, ask your municipality, or visit: www.
broward.org/waterservices/drdcty.
pdf.
•Maintain a ring of responsibility –keep fertilizers and pesticides at least
10 feet away from the water’s edge
•Clean up any spills of potentially hazardous materials, such as oil, fertilizer,
and pesticides
•Do not store fertilizers, pesticides, or hazardous materials near water
•When mowing near the shore, direct the grass clippings away from the
water body
•Pick up pet waste
Controlling excessive plant growth
Stormwater runoff is the #1 water quality issue in Florida.
Solution: Use landscape practices and maintenance methods to reduce pollutants in stormwater
runoff and improve the quality of receiving waters and ecosystems.
Follow Landscape Best Management Practices
Animal waste contains nutrients and can harbor bacteria and viruses that can be carried by
stormwater runoff into nearby water bodies. Excess nutrients can cause algae blooms, fish kills and
habitat destruction, while pathogens can pose health risks for humans and wildlife.
Native limestone placed along the shoreline
buffers wave action, reduces erosion, and
provides shelter for crabs, juvenile fish, and
reptiles.
If you are considering landscaping on the edge of your lake, canal or other
waterbody, the following steps should be followed:
Step 4
No Bulkheading
Do not alter the amount of water a lake can hold by filling with dirt or rocks, otherwise know as
bulkheading. Systems are calibrated to store a certain amount of water.
Step 3
Plant installation
Where do you plant littoral plants?
Shoreline vegetation should be planted closest to the shore along a gentle slope. Allow for water level
fluctuations and plan your work so the most depth tolerant species are planted closest to, or in, the
water. The height of shoreline vegetation should extend far above the water level.
Now that you have determined you can plant on the edge and it is safe to do so, remember to:
•Remove invasive exotic vegetation
•Choose plants according to salt tolerance, soil types, sun and water requirements
•Plant only native vegetation in the water and on the littoral edge
•Keep safety in mind when planting and maintaining this area
•Avoid the use of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides
•Water newly installed plants in dry areas until they get established
Many native plants have natural controls, but sometimes mechanical controls are needed when
excessive growth occurs. This includes physically removing the vegetation by hand or with specifically
engineered equipment. Floating plants can be netted and hand removed. Controls are needed to
maintain water flow and water quality.
Special considerations
Exotic Triploid Grass Carp have been introduced in some water bodies to control submersed plants,
algae and small floating plants. These fish have been approved by the State of Florida because
they are sterile and therefore do not pose any challenges relating to population control. A word
of caution: it is difficult to remove unwanted fish from a system. Fish should never be released by
homeowners into a local lake or waterway. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
strictly regulates the stocking of Triploid Grass Carp by issuing permits to licensed professionals.
Even native plants may need some control. For instance, native cat-tails flourish, pictured below, in
high nutrient areas and can quickly crowd out other native vegetation, including sawgrass. Choose
another native species or plan to thin them out once a year, or as needed.
S
Planting on the Edge of Water
Management Features
urface water management systems all work together. Each development is required to have
a surface water management permit. These permits are renewed every 5 years by Broward County or
a special district. Components are described in the South Florida Water Management permit which
is attached as an exhibit in HOA documents. Details can also be found online. Visit: www.sfwmd.
gov and enter the development or project name under “Application Permit Search.”
Water Management Features include Swales, Ditches, Retention Areas,
Detention Ponds, and Neighborhood Canals
These features:
•Play an important role in storm water management systems.
•Are designed to convey or hold stormwater for flood control so water can percolate and recharge
the aquifer.
•Provide wetland habitat.
•Maintain soil permeability and filter runoff and nutrients.
•Can also be planted with appropriate native plants to enhance wildlife habitat.
Native Plant Choices
O
ur state is home to hundreds of native aquatic and wetland plants that thrive in damp to
wet soils, and some even more specialized plants that live entirely in, on, or under water. They are
classified as submersed plants, emersed plants (including grasses, sedges and rushes), and floating
and floating-leaved plants. The following plants are just a few of the ones found in Broward County.
Emergent Plants
Freshwater Trees and Shrubs
Freshwater Native Marginal or Bog Species:
Marginal or bog plants are aquatic plants that grow in shallow water. There are many varieties that
will add height and texture. Some stand above the water and others rest on the water’s surface.
Freshwater Surface or Floating Plants
Floating plants are desirable and help to filter pollutants, add color, and create shade in a pond. Roots
provide fish with spawning beds and protection for juveniles. These species are sensitive to cold and
may die back in winter months. They can also grow to cover a body of water and potentially restrict
water flow, so they may not be a good choice in some canals.
White-top Sedge (Dichromena colorata)
Planting elevation: -1 to 0 ft.
Fragrant White Water Lily
(Nymphaea odorata)
Planting elevation: -3 to -0.5 ft.
Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum)
Planting elevation: 0 to +3 ft.
Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera)
Planting elevation: 0 to +6 ft.
Coastal Plain Willow (Salix caroliniana)
Planting elevation: 0 to +6 ft.
Yellow Top (Flaveria linearis)
Planting elevation: 0 to +6 ft.
Lizard’s Tail (Saururus cernuus)
Planting elevation: -1 to 0 ft.
Spatterdock (Nuphar lutea subspecies advena)
Planting elevation: -2 to -0.5 ft.
Detention areas are low areas which have been designed to hold rain water temporarily. To prevent
flooding after a rain event, storm water from nearby buildings, streets, and parking lots is channeled
to these areas through a series of storm-drains and pipes. Plants in this type of environment need to
be able to survive dry and wet seasons. Pictured here are Bald Cypress trees.
Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
Planting elevation: 0 to +6 ft.
Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata)
Planting elevation: -1.5 to 0 ft.
Zephyr Lily or Rain Lily (Zephyranthes atamasco)
Planting elevation: 0 to +3 ft.
Banana Lily (Nymphoides aquatica)
Planting elevation: -3 to -0.5 ft.
Oceanfront
Fern and Grass-like Plants
Coastal dunes and canal edges need plants that can withstand wind and salt.
Grasses, sedges and rushes produce prodigious quantities of seeds for birds and other animals,
substrate for invertebrates and shelter for fish, as well as nesting and padding for birds and
other wildlife.
Retention areas or ponds are very effective in removing certain pollutants, including sediments,
some nutrients and heavy metals from water. These ponds can also reduce peak stormwater
flows. This pond creates habitat for turtles, fish, wading birds, aquatic organisms, and migrating
wildlife. Shown here are herbaceous plants such as pickerel weed, grasses, and water lilies.
Eastern Gamagrass, Fakahatchee grass
(Tripsacum dactyloides)
Planting elevation: -3 to +0.5 ft.
Sand Cordgrass (Spartina bakeri)
Planting elevation: -1 to 0 ft.
After several days of rain, this swale is functioning well. Swales are designed to convey water and may
hold water for up to 72 hours after each rain event. Do not fill in swales - it is illegal and disrupts the
ability of the swale to function properly. Small trees and shrubs may be planted on the sides of swales.
Dahoon Holly is a good choice. Pictured here are Cocoplum shrubs along with Cabbage Palms.
Leather Fern (Acrostichum danaeifolium)
Planting elevation: -3 to +6 ft.
Sword Fern (Nephrolepis biserrata)
Planting elevation: 0 to +6 ft.
Needle rush (Juncus roemerianus)
Planting elevation: -2 to 0 ft.
Saw-grass (Cladium jamaicense)
Planting elevation: -2 to 0 ft.
Smooth Water-Hyssop (Bacopa monnieri)
Planting elevation: -1 to +0.5 ft.
Swamp Lily (Crinum americanum)
Planting elevation: -2 to 0 ft.
Swamp Mallow (Hibiscus coccineus)
Planting elevation: 0 to +0.5 ft.
Soft Rush (Juncus effusus)
Planting elevation: -2 to 0 ft.
Spikerush (Eleocharis spp.)
with a Purple Gallinule on her nest
Planting elevation: -2 to 0 ft.
Freshwater Trees and Shrubs
Emergent Plants
Emergent plants are plants that grow out of the water (or in exposed sediments when water levels are
low). They are rooted to the bottom, but their stems, leaves and flowers are above the water. Canna
lily, pickerel weed and giant white top sedge can also do well in swales and low areas in a yard.
Many native trees and shrubs are wetland species and are suitable for planting along the edge. The
key is to keep them away from structures such as culverts and drains so their roots and leaf debris
do not block water flow. Mulching can also clog up drains, so it may be advantageous not to mulch
plants along the water’s edge.
Alligator Flag (Thalia geniculata)
Planting elevation: -2.5 to +0.5 ft.
Blue Flag Iris (Iris hexagona)
Planting elevation: -1 to 0 ft.
Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum)
Planting elevation: 0 to +6 ft.
Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium atlanticum)
Planting elevation: +1 to+3 ft.
Canna Lily (Canna flaccida)
Planting elevation: -1 to 0 ft.
Rose-Mallow (Hibiscus grandiflorus)
Planting elevation: 0 to + 0.5 ft.
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
Planting elevation: +1 to +3 ft.
Dahoon Holly (Ilex cassine)
Planting elevation: +1 to +6 ft.
Paurotis Palm (Acoelorrhaphe wrightii)
Planting elevation: 0 to +6 ft.
Pond Apple (Annona glabra)
Planting elevation: 0 to +6 ft.
Pond Cypress (Taxodium ascendens)
Planting elevation: 0 to +6 ft.
Mimosa (Mimosa strigillosa)
Planting elevation: +1 to +6 ft
Sea Oats, Uniola paniculata, are a protected shoreline plant that grows in clumps. This growth
characteristic serves to trap sand blown about by the wind making these plants important features
in shoreline erosion control and in the establishment of dunes. Stabilized sand dunes also provide
shoreline protection against hurricanes.
Mangroves grow in coastal and brackish areas and are protected under the Florida State “1996
Mangrove Trimming and Preservation Act.” They support the marine food chain and provide critical
breeding grounds for many threatened and endangered species of birds, as well as snails, crabs,
clams, and fish. Mangroves protect homes from severe wind damage and their roots and trunks resist
shoreline erosion. For more information, contact the Broward County Development and Environmental
Regulation Division at 954-519-1230.
Other Coastal Dune suggestions:
Beach Sunflower (Helianthus debilis)
Blanket Flower (Gaillardia pulchella)
Railroad Vine (Ipomoea pes-caprae)
Sea Grape (Coccoloba uvifera)
Sea Ox-eye Daisy (Borrichia arborescens)
Cabbage Palm (Sabal palmetto)
Beach Verbena (Glandularia maritime)
Sea-Lavender (Argusia gnaphalodes)
Neighborhood canals connect to larger canals operated by Local Drainage/Water Control Districts
which in turn, feed into even larger canals operated by the South Florida Water Management District.
Restrictions on shoreline plantings may vary by water management entity. Check before planting.
Climbing Aster (Aster carolinianus)
Planting elevation: +1 to +6 ft.
Keep a 10- foot “Ring of Responsibility” around water bodies where no fertilizers or pesticides are
used. Install a fertilizer deflector shield on spreaders to prevent casting fertilizers into the water.
www.broward.org/naturescape
Frog-fruit (Phyla nodiflora)
Planting elevation: -1 to +0.5 ft.
Lance-leaf Arrowhead (Sagittaria lancifolia)
Planting elevation: -1.5 to 0 ft.
Planting elevation refers to the area above (+) or below (-) the water level.