HomeMy WebLinkAboutNative_Plants_City_of_OshkoshWhy
Native plants are beautiful and protect nature
Native plants are species that grew naturally in a region before European settlement. Since native
plants are adapted to their surroundings, they are more tolerant of drought and poor soil and more
resistant to native insects and diseases than non-natives. Species native to Wisconsin include many
attractive flowers, grasses, sedges, bushes and trees. In addition to providing food and habitat for
pollinators, birds, and other wildlife, native plants filter water pollutants and store carbon.
How
Three strategies for incorporating native plants into your yard1 Plant individual or small groupings of native flowers, shrubs, grasses, and/or trees into existing
landscaping. This does not require special permission by the city.
2 Create a small native plant area with a boundary of some sort, like a stone edge, and plant
natives within that boundary. Typically this does not require special permission by the city.
3 Apply to have your yard designated as a “Native Landscaping Area.” Municipal Code 17-
44.2 (B) states, ”Native Landscaping Areas... are areas of grasses and flowering broad-leaf
plants that are native to, or adapted to, the State of Wisconsin and that are commonly found in
meadow and prairie plant communities. If a proposed landscape within the City includes native
grasses that exceed or are expected to exceed eight (8) inches in overall height, the property
owner must apply for and receive approval of the Native Landscaping Area.” Municipal Code
17-44.2 (C) describes the process for receiving approval of a Native Landscaping Area within
the City of Oshkosh.
Weeds
Some native plants, like milkweed have “weed”in their name, but this does not mean they are
weeds. Weeds are any plants that are unwanted in their current location. So a native plant could be
considered a weed, but so can a rose bush!
Invasives
Invasive plants present a big and growing problem in Wisconsin. They are so aggressive that they
choke out more desirable plants. When developing a yard or landscape it is important to remove
invasives and take care not to introduce any new ones.
City Codes
Commonly used native plants
Municipal Code Chapter 30 - Article IX - Land-scaping Requirements includes Figure 30-254a
titled Commonly-Used Appropriate Landscaping Species. Native plants on this list are indicated
with an * and receive an additional 10% added to point values for landscaping requirements in new
commercial building. (Note, some plants on this list which are native to Wisconsin are not marked
as native.)
Designated Native Landscaping Areas
Section 17-44.2 (C) of the Municipal Code Native Landscaping Areas describes the process for
receiving approval of a native landscaping area within the City of Oshkosh. Contact the Parks
Department at 920-236-5080 for more information.
Exemptions to weed cutting requirements
Section 17-44D of the Municipal Code lists several exemptions to weed cutting and lawn care
requirements. Among the exemptions are vegetation on steep slopes that would be unsafe to mow,
vegetation in natural wooded lots, vegetation near water, and approved “Native Landscaping Areas.”
PlantNative
Native Plant Resources
Websites
DNR • dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/endangeredresources/nativeplants
Guidance from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on native plants. This site includes a list of nurseries
that sell native plants. Reputable nurseries will answer your questions about the source and characteristics of their plants.
Nurseries will help you identify plants that will be successful for a particular purpose and specific conditions found in a yard or
garden. Many native plants are listed as endangered or threatened by the Wisconsin DNR. It is important to use native plants
that are propagated and not gathered. Gathering native plants disrupts native plant communities. In addition, like all plants
some natives are more aggressive than others.
Wild Ones • foxvalleyarea.wildones.org
As described on its website, Wild Ones “promotes environmentally sound landscaping practices to increase biodiversity
through the preservation, restoration and establishment of native plant communities.” The Fox Valley chapter provides many
educational opportunities and hosts an annual native plant sale.
USDA | Plants Database • plants.usda.gov
Information on plants including whether a plant is a native or introduced species to regions within the United States
Xerces Society | Pollinator Conservation Resource Center: Great Lakes Region
xerces.org/pollinator-resource-center/great-lakes
Includes lists of native plants and information on creation of pollinator habitat.
Audubon • audubon.org/native-plants
Includes a native plant database to bring more birds to a yard or garden.
USDA | State Noxious-Weed Seed Requirements (Wisconsin is on page 90)
https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/StateNoxiousWeedsSeedList.pdf
Covers Wisconsin’s invasive, introduced, and noxious weeds as well as endangered and threatened species. Includes an
explanation of Wisconsin law.
Healthy Lakes & Rivers • healthylakeswi.com
Provides information on creating wildlife habitats on shoreland property.
Apps to help identify plant species: Pl@ntNet | Seek | PictureThis
Books at the Oshkosh Public Library
By Neil Diboll The Gardener’s Guide To Prairie Plants
By Lynn Steinter Landscaping with Native Plants of Wisconsin
By Douglas Tallamy
Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard
The Nature of Oaks
Bringing Nature Home: How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens
By Benjamin Vogt Prairie Up (ebook only)
By Larry Weaner Garden Revolution: How Our Landscapes Can Be a Source of Environmental Change
City of Oshkosh Sustainability Plan
The City of Oshkosh Sustainability Plan includes a chapter titled “Environmental Conservation” which outlines policies on native
landscaping in Oshkosh. www.oshkoshwi.gov/SustainableOshkosh
Rain gardens & storm water credits
Stormwater credits for installation of a rain garden are available. Municipal Code Section 30-255 describes standards for rain
gardens and bioswales. Contact the Department of Public Works at 920-236-5065 if interested. The City of Oshkosh
Residential Stormwater Utility Credit Policy can be found here: www.oshkoshwi.gov/StormWaterUtility