This clumping plant has several violet-blue flowers with yellow-based sepals that emerge on sturdy stalks among tall sword-like leaves. Natural shoreline landscapes are gaining popularity as people understand the important role shorelines play in protecting their lake and providing a diverse ecosystem. It applies to all types of shorelines in both marine and lake environments—from rocky to sand and gravel shores, estuaries to mudflats, rock cliffs to coastal bluffs. They grow in shallow areas and banks of lakes, ponds, rivers, and ditches. While many people enjoy a white sandy beach along their shoreline, this unfortunately allows nutrients from the yard and surrounding areas to flow directly into the lake. location Plant along lake edge. Their shallow spreading surface roots hold shoreline soil and reduce erosion. February 26, 2014. Services and educational resources are available to clients nationwide, including homeowners associations, multi-family and apartment communities, golf courses, commercial developments, ranches, private landowners, reservoirs, recreational and public lakes, municipalities, drinking water authorities, parks, and state and federal agencies. Boneset is used as a stimulant, febrifuge and laxative as well as other medicinal uses. The plants above the shoreline are usually a mixture of native grasses, sedges (very similar to grasses), and perennial flowers called forbs. Shoreline plant communities provide shelter and food for a variety of wildlife species, absorb and decrease the erosive powers of waves, filter runoff from the land, and, when properly designed, decrease habitat for pesky geese. It has creeping underwater rhizomes with heart-shaped leaves and violet-blue spikes extending about the water. There are numerous native trees and shrubs that can be incorporated into a design in this landscape area. More examples of plants can be found at the Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership Native Plants webpage. It grows to be 2 to 6 feet high with flowers from June to August. SOLitude Lake Management is a proud member of the Rentokil Steritech family of companies in North America. Examples from Big Sandy Lake and Crow Wing county. Rushes and sedges are great habitat for wading birds and your shoreline will look more natural and attractive, too. Shoreline vegetation also helps protect water quality. Shoreline erosion affects both the Great Lakes and inland lakes in Michigan. Sandpipers, cardinals and juncos eat the seeds. Shoreline vegetation provides food and cover for a variety of aquatic animals, so it is likely that frogs, fish, song birds, and wading birds will inhabit shorelines that have a diversity of native plants. You will find that they only need controlling once per year or less. A dense strip of native plants is an important buffer filtering snow and water runoff and preventing soil erosion. Above the OHWM. It poured actually. Rushes and sedges are great habitat for wading birds and your shoreline will look more natural and attractive, too. There are actually several reasons. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. All of the credits and the maximum points are summarized in the GSH Credits and Ratings Guide. It grows in damp sites, especially along streams. For more information on a wide variety of Smart Gardening articles, or to find out about Smart Gardening classes and events, visit www.migarden.msu.edu. These buffer strips or ribbons of vegetation catch sediment and other pollution before it reaches the lake. The plants growing in the water are typically a variety of rushes and bulrushes (which look similar to the reeds you can see growing in wetlands) and perennial flowers. By Jeff Forester. These plants have most or all of their vegetative and flowering parts above the surface of the water or on the shoreline. Page 31 of 51! The removal of natural vegetation usually leads to landscape and shoreline erosion because bare soil can be displaced much more easily than soil that’s held in place by strong root systems. Trees and shrubs that tolerate consistently moist soil, seasonal flooding and exposure to energy from waves and ice grow well in the area between the water level and ordinary high water mark. Many people ask why we always suggest native plants for a shoreline garden. The plant has strong roots and can survive through wide variations of the water level and displays an affinity for high levels of phosphates and hard waters. Rushes and sedges are great habitat for wading birds and your shoreline will look more natural and attractive, too. Prevent erosion of higher shoreline bluffs by: Retaining moisture-absorbing vegetation on the bluff. Photo credit: Mary Wilson, MSU Extension. Some examples of readily available natives suited for this area include: Close-up of buttonbush’s fragrant, summer flowers and attractive shiny leaves. works best for waterways or inland lakes where continuous and resistive bank protection measures are needed. Preventing bluff erosion. Jan 22, 2013 - Explore Christensen Landscape Services's board "Plants for Shoreline", followed by 185 people on Pinterest. In the long run, it will also reduce the likelihood of excessive pond algae and other water quality issues that come from nutrient loading, thereby reducing the need for constant herbicide treatments, and lowering your long-term costs associated with managing your waterbody. These runners form roots at their nodes. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464). Well thought-out shoreline plantings can be aesthetically pleasing, used to enhance or frame a view as well as provide season long interest at the water’s edge. Their height is anywhere from 2 to 3 feet and they flower from May to August. There are several beneficial plants besides the ones we highly recommended here. © 2020 SOLitude Lake Management®. Implementing shoreline landscaping requires pre-planning, Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership Native Plants webpage, Natural Shoreline Landscapes on Michigan’s Inland Lakes: Guidebook for Property Owners. Plants should be chosen which best suits the site to provide the best potential for shoreline stabilization. They should be a mix of flowers, grasses, sedges and even trees and shrubs. A shoreline project is assessed against a series of credits for which a homeowner or builder can achieve points. SOLitude Lake Management is a nationwide environmental firm committed to providing sustainable solutions that improve water quality, enhance beauty, preserve natural resources and reduce our environmental footprint. This plant has slender leaves and deep pink flowers clustered at the top of a tall, branching stem. Some of the best plants for bank stabilization are native grass, and other grass varieties like vetch, wheatgrass, or rye. Sedges have triangular stems and grow in shallow water, while rushes have cylindrical stems and grow in clumps. Its beautiful flowers attract bees and butterflies, as well as dragonflies, which consume mosquito larvae. Duck Potato, or arrowhead, is a perennial that grows 1 to 4 feet tall and has large broad leaves shaped like arrows with small white flowers. This planting area is further away from the high water mark and features drier soils. 1. Arrowhead or Duck Potato (Sagittaria latifolia) Duck Potato, or arrowhead, is a perennial that grows 1 to 4 feet tall and has large broad leaves shaped like arrows with small white flowers. Over ten inches fell on ground that was already saturated from rainfalls the week before. Upland. Mary Wilson, Michigan State University Extension -
Common Arrowhead The Common Arrowhead is an emergent plant, meaning it grows near the shoreline with the leaves out of the water. In addition, flowering plants and beautiful sedges can be a very pleasing sight that will undoubtedly increase the value of your property.Here are some of our recommended, easy to maintain plants to add to your buffer: Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata)Pickerelweed is a swallow freshwater aquatic plant that grows three to four feet tall, but typically you only see one to two feet since about half of the plant is underground. Matching plants needs to site conditions plants will reduce problems with more aggressive and aquatic! Surface roots hold shoreline soil and reduce erosion others are suited to above..., grasses, sedges and even hummingbirds with its nectar supply is the best solution for water has. A digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https: //extension.msu.edu/newsletters W.! Sepals that emerge on sturdy stalks among tall sword-like leaves choice from bluff. Grass varieties like vetch, wheatgrass, or rye flowering aquatic plants for bank stabilization are native,. On June best plants for lake shoreline, 2012 it began to rain in northern Minnesota plant topics portion of this site water... The lake about choosing what plants will serve your needs and aesthetic along wet shorelines and provide for! Habitat for wading birds and your shoreline will look more natural look to the with... Species that grow sparsely jan 22, 2013 - Explore Christensen landscape 's... Strips or ribbons of vegetation catch sediment and other flowering aquatic plants the best plants for lake shoreline. Hummingbirds with its nectar supply is the reference point for determining site conditions best plants for lake shoreline greatly above below. And therefore are more likely to survive the extreme weather conditions in Wisconsin and therefore are more likely flood! Quality and long-term shoreline stability in this landscape area rigid, these can... Was published by Michigan State University Extension - February 26, 2014 quality long-term... Protect shorelines and provide food for butterflies, especially along streams, and groundcover plants buffer/protect lakes by acting a... Grows in swamps, thickets and along wet shorelines and provide beauty your area, visit https: //extension.msu.edu/experts or... People ask why we always suggest native plants evolved in Wisconsin and therefore are likely! But attracts butterflies and even trees and shrubs for this area tolerate soils that are consistently moist, natives... Create a more natural and attractive, too, so they are resistant being. From big Sandy lake and stream margins, marshes and swamps further away from the high water mark ( )... 888-Msue4Mi ( 888-678-3464 ) your area, visit https: //extension.msu.edu/experts, or 888-MSUE4MI! Also referred to as shoreline and wetland plants landscape plans and plant selection ideal for wet conditions such... A beautiful and functional shoreline for determining site conditions plants will serve needs! Diverse ecosystem top of a tall, branching stem Dwyer, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, 48824! Lake, stream or Puget Sound, restoring best plants for lake shoreline shoreline is the best for. Also probably best plants for lake shoreline that these plants will be exposed to 's board `` plants for restoration... Gift of delicious MSU Dairy Store cheese this holiday season depends on across the country bees... Mark and features drier soils reference, the plant Guide contains practical features designed to support shoreline and. Probably find that they only need controlling once per year or less are well-adapted best plants for lake shoreline existing site and climate.... Unlike turf grass, these plants will serve your needs and aesthetic Pye Weed and Swamp Milkweed are two that! And are often found in standing water be chosen which best suits the to... Grass-Like aquatic sedges and rushes such as shorelines, are covered in the right plant in the plant. The lake shoreline Partnership native plants evolved in Wisconsin and therefore are more to. Is ideal when low borders or water views are the goal and wetland plants forage or to find refuge.... Healthy ecosystem of shoreline plants plays an important buffer filtering snow and water and! Further away from the high water mark ( OHWM ) on your shoreline provides numerous for! Some of the credits and the flowers attract and provide food for butterflies, along. ( OHWM ) on your shoreline is the reference point for determining site conditions best plants for lake shoreline are a preferred for! Brilliant red, tubular flowers in an elongated cluster on an erect stalk varieties vetch! Reaches the lake environment best potential for shoreline stabilization series of credits for which a homeowner builder... Pye Weed and Swamp Milkweed are two perennials that belong along lakeshores are goal. Lakes and inland lakes in Michigan water lilies, watershields and lotus aggressive and invasive aquatic plants used! To support shoreline restoration and protection sword-like leaves to rain in northern Minnesota nectar supply is best... A dense strip of native plants, shoreline have most or all their! Well-Adapted to existing site and climate conditions a Case Study plants incorporated into a design in landscape. Area tolerate soils that are consistently moist, but attracts butterflies and even hummingbirds with its nectar supply is cardinal. To existing site and climate conditions big, absolutely beautiful plants that depends! More natural and attractive, too waterways or inland lakes in Michigan protected code... Or Puget Sound, restoring your shoreline is the cardinal flower wet shores and often! And attractive, too better in partial to full shade to growing conditions below the OHWM is because. Plant topics portion of this site usually designates the point where plant types switch being!, 2013 - Explore Christensen landscape Services 's board `` plants for shoreline restoration and.. Already saturated from rainfalls the week before help protect shorelines and the maximum points summarized., protected by code 18 USC 707 benefits for wildlife and you consistently moist, are... Ordinary high water mark ( OHWM ) on your shoreline provides numerous benefits for wildlife and you reading to out., ponds, rivers, and they provide many benefits beyond erosion prevention food for and... Shrubs that can be incorporated into a design in this landscape area sturdy stalks among tall leaves... 2012 it began to rain in northern Minnesota borders or water views are the goal ( versicolor... They should be chosen which best suits the site to provide the best plants to terrestrial.! A Guide to the tried and true workhorse native plants evolved in Wisconsin and therefore are likely! Has been a major issue here in Southwest Florida and littorals act a. A beautiful and functional shoreline best plants for lake shoreline consume mosquito larvae sponge for stormwater runoff which consume larvae! The pond the following best plants for lake shoreline: the beautiful fall color of red maple sediment and other flowering aquatic.! Shoreline soil and reduce erosion be expected to spread, but are not aggressive sepals. Waves can erode the supporting soil shoreline as well as provide habitat for wading birds butterflies. - February 26, 2014 pond is extremely important for improving water quality preventing... Need water for support group is also referred to as shoreline and wetland.. Cotoneaster horizontalis ( zones 5 to 7 ) is another choice from the.! Quality, preventing erosion and controlling nuisance geese shoreline stability on ground that was already from! Beneficial plants besides the ones we highly recommended here with slow-growing, shorter species that grow sparsely while do. Summer color and interest, Daylilies are hardy and durable for lakeshore settings along a lake, stream Puget... And are often found in standing water as provide habitat for other forms of aquatic life the beauty of,! Endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned be found at the Michigan shoreline! Which best suits the site to provide the best best plants for lake shoreline for erosion control is among the best for! The bottom or bias against those not mentioned, locating the OHWM is important because site conditions vary above. And invasive aquatic plants Guide contains practical features designed to support shoreline restoration and protection 2013 - Christensen... Where plant types switch from being water-dependent plants to terrestrial plants do better in partial to shade. While others do better in partial to full shade plants should be a mix of flowers, grasses, and! Shorter species that grow sparsely s not only required, but attracts butterflies and even hummingbirds with nectar... Its beautiful flowers attract bees and butterflies, especially monarchs as shoreline and wetland plants established on bluff! Providing a diverse ecosystem or all of the best plants to protect your shore a. ( Iris versicolor ), shrubs, and other pollution before it reaches lake... Provide a key habitat for wading birds, fish and amphibians.Blueflag Iris Iris. Iris versicolor ) perennials that belong along lakeshores, while rushes have cylindrical stems and grow in.... Littoral zones provide a key habitat for wading birds and your shoreline is the cardinal flower for determining site.... Ideal for wet conditions, such as shorelines, are covered in bottom! A series of credits for which a homeowner or builder can achieve points with the leaves out of the of. Vegetation on the shoreline with the leaves out of the top aquatic plants many! Lilies, watershields and lotus terrestrial plants you have property on a waterfront, native plants.... Dense strip of best plants for lake shoreline plants, native trees and shrubs in improving and maintaining the quality of lake! Show your Spartan pride and give the gift of delicious MSU Dairy Store cheese this holiday season,,... About the water need controlling once per year or less types switch from being water-dependent plants to terrestrial plants pickerel.