PUBLISHED BY THE PORTLAND WATER DISTRICT

E N V I R O N M E N TA L L A N D S C A P I N G

F O R WAT E R Q UA L I T Y

…you may be surprised to discover that traditionallandscaping ideas have no place there. Manicured lawnsextending to the water’s edge, along with the fertilizerand pesticide applications required to maintainthem, can have serious negative impacts onlake water quality.

More surprising still — it turns outthat you don’t have to live at thewater’s edge to impact waterquality. Homes and camps that aremany feet back from a lake can drainchemicals down-slope.

Negative impacts from both shoreline and uphillresidences can be minimized with a landscaping plan thatplaces less emphasis on lawns and incorporates a variety

of plants adapted toconditions near the water’sedge. Lawns can beredesigned to allow abuffer zone along the lake.Careful landscape designcan actually increase thevalue of your property aswell as keep the lake wateryou enjoy clear and clean.

Portland WaterDistrict staff can visityour property andgive you ideas forsolving these andother common anddamaging problems.A WatershedProperty Consultation(WPC) is anevaluation of yourproperty designed toidentify existing orpotential runoff anderosion problems thatcould impact the water quality of the lake. A WPC beginswith a site visit by trained PWD staff. After the visit, PWDstaff will provide you with a free packet of materialsspecifically designed to help you fix the problems andmake the property more lake friendly.

Watershed Property Consultations

The WPC includes anevaluation of:

•road•driveway, parking area

and footpath•roof runoff•the lawn, landscaping

features •shorefront•steep slopes•buffer vegetation

We will also provide information about: •septic system•streams and wetlands

Consultations are available, FREE OF CHARGE, for anyonelocated in the Sebago Lake direct watershed. Interested?Please call PWD’s Water Resources Department at 774-5961 ext. 3305, 3336, or 3338. Call today! The number ofconsultations we can provide each year is limited.

Many of our watershed protection efforts are carried out from our Lake Office. We are located in Standish at the intersection of Routes 35 and 237. Call us (774-5961) or stop by for information about our programs.

If you live or summer on one of Maine’s lakes…

Is your shoreline showing signs of erosion? Does your road or driveway washout every year? Are you planning a construction project around the lake? Tiredof mowing your lawn and looking for low maintenance alternatives?

STEP 1: RELAX AND STOP MOWING.Stop mowing down to the water.Let the existing grass grow long — itwill help filter pollutants fromrainwater while you’re working onyour other plantings. The grasseswill grow 12 to 24 inches tall beforegoing to seed. Carefully preserveany and all existing naturalvegetation at the edge of the lake.

Suggestions for Landscaping Your Lake Front PropertyLANDSCAPING FOR ESTABLISHED YARDS

You don't have to live at the water's edge to impact water quality. Buffers located downslope fromresidences and roadways help take up pollutants from upland areas that drain into the lake.

ROAD CAMPS LAKEROAD CAMP

STEP 2: UNDERSTAND YOUR YARD.Before doing any planting, take time tounderstand the different factors thatmake each yard unique and sketchthem out to help guide your plantingdecisions:

SUN: The direction your yard facesand the location of existing trees andbuildings determines how much sun orshade there is. On a sunny day, watchwhat spots stay in the sun, shade, orget some of both.

VIEWS: Careful placement ofdifferent sized trees and shrubs canhelp to enhance views that arevaluable, such as water vistas seenfrom a porch, and can help to screenless desirable views, such as aneighboring building, parking area ordrive (see SAMPLE LANDSCAPEPLANS).

SOILS: Some plant types prefer moremoisture than others. These will dobetter in low spots or nearer theshoreline. Higher spots away from thewater will need plants that preferdrier soils. Areas that are bare, wornor eroded, especially on a slope,should be mulched heavily and plantedwith plants that will quickly spread.

ACTIVITIES: What areas of youryard get used for what purpose? Anarea for sitting and relaxing may bebetter for ornamental plantings thatgive way to native species towards thelakeshore. Plants for shade andscreening may be used as well. Leave

enough open areas for lawn games.Plan for the best way to get

down to the water.

BUFFER

BUFFER

BUFFER

STEP 3: GET OUT YOUR SHOVEL.Begin planting ground covers, shrubs,and trees into the lawn area near thewater’s edge. You can work up thesoil in small sections at a time, toreduce the danger of causing anerosion problem. Use mulch aroundthe new plantings to reducecompetition from the grasses. If yousee any areas where bare soil isexposed near the lake, make themyour first priority for planting ormulching.

WHAT DO I PLANT?Choose plants that are naturallyadapted to the soil and sunlightconditions along your shoreline. Youshould also plant a variety of speciesof different heights including shrubsand trees. A careful selection of plantswill give you color and seasonaldiversity for your view of the water.

SAMPLE LANDSCAPE PLANSThis publication includes three possiblebuffer planting designs specificallyprepared for lakefronts. The treatmentshown will provide a more naturallooking yard, and the plants listed favornative species with low maintenance.Some popular, non-invasive ornamentalspecies are included. A more formal,ornamental effect can be located closerto a building. A local nursery canassist in additional ornamental plantselections for these areas.

HOW DO I PLANT?Dig planting holes in the existing grass.Refer to PWD’s Fact Sheet #06TREES, SHRUBS, VINES ANDGROUND COVERS for more infor-mation or check with your nursery.

WHAT ABOUTFERTILIZER?For healthy lakes,fertilizer use shouldbe reduced oreliminated. Seekout natural soilamendments andorganic, lowphosphate fertilizersto give youngplantings the boostthey need to takeroot and grow.Some good optionsare:

•Take a soil testand fertilizethe plantinghole based onthe test results.

•Use slowreleasefertilizer tabletsin the plantinghole.

•Use small amounts of organicmatter (such as composted cowmanure) mixed well with the soilin the planting hole.

REMEMBER! FERTILIZER ISVERY HARMFUL TO LAKES!

•It can trigger severe algae bloomswhich can leave the lake green,smelly, and scummy

•Don’t use fertilizers right next tothe shoreline

•Don’t leave them on the soilsurface-put them in the plantinghole

•Don’t apply them before arainstorm

•Don’t over-fertilize.

HOW WIDE SHOULD THEBUFFER AREA BE?The best answer for water quality is —the wider the better. But any buffer isbetter than none at all. The wider thebuffer, the more you will protect thelake from pollution. Do your best.

For more information about buffersand water quality, refer to PWD’sFact Sheet #05 VEGETATEDPHOSPHORUS BUFFER STRIPS.

WHAT ABOUT MY VIEW?Wide panoramic views simply are notgood for water quality. Although youmay want to just plant low growingspecies along the lake, don’t forget toinclude some trees and shrubs. Theirdeep root systems are great for waterquality. Use trees and shrubs in thebuffer zone to screen out undesirableviews as well as reduce noise. If a lakeview is not critical to you, let mothernature take over and fill in the gaps.

MARKSHAIN

STEP 4: FINE TUNE THE FOOTWORK.Plan for foot traffic patterns. Be surepaths are narrow and that soil doesnot wash from them into the lake.Generally they should be winding andcurvy so that rainwater can’t cutchannels into them. Cover bare soil onfootpaths with something like barkmulch or crushed stone or pea stone.Another option such as making a pathout of flagstones may be a goodchoice to suit your tastes and protectthe lake.

WHAT ABOUT EROSION CONTROLS?Be sure no soil can wash to the lake.You can often accomplish this bycareful planting:

•Don t expose large areas of soil.•Preserve natural vegetation

between disturbed soil and thelake.

•Mulch exposed soil immediately.Mulch and use erosion controlnetting on slopes.

•Schedule work for the dry season(to avoid thunderstorms). Wateryour new plantings carefully.

•Use a silt fence or a hay balebarrier on the down-slope side ofdisturbed areas if needed toprotect the lake.

An excellent way to stabilize slopes isto terrace with landscaping timbers,small retaining walls, or similarstructures. While they are extremelyeffective once installed, they requirelocal and state permits because of theerosion threat during theirconstruction. You will need to developan extensive plan to obtain thesepermits. Terracing is beyond the scopeof this publication. Consult your localCode Enforcement Officer and theMaine Department of EnvironmentalProtection for permit information.

For more information about erosioncontrol, refer to PWD’s Fact Sheet#03 EROSION

ALTERNATIVES TO THETRADITIONAL LAWN

Grass planted to the water’s edge is seldom the bestchoice, from either an aesthetic or a water qualitystandpoint. Many lakeside homes have very sandy,acidic, infertile soils. Grass isn’t naturally adapted tothis type of environment. That means a lot of workto keep it growing: fertilizer, lime, pesticides,watering, mowing.

Why not try an alternative? Substituting a variety ofplants that are naturally adapted to the soils on yoursite has many advantages:

•Screens undesirable views while framing goodones;

•Reduces the time and money spent on lawnmaintenance, fertilizers, and other lawnchemicals;

•Helps filter pollutants that wash off roofs,driveways, and other hard surfaces

•Preserves the natural appearance of theshoreline;

•Offers better protection against shorelineerosion

•Provides increased diversity and improvedhabitat for wildlife. M

ARKSHAIN

GROUNDCOVERS

PLANT 1 - 2 FEET APART

AJUGA REPTENS:BUGLEWEEDFast grower, good cover. Late spring flower.

ARCTOSTAPHYLOS UVA—URSI:BEARBERRYSpreading, whitish—pink flower, glossy leaves, brightred berries through fall.

CORNUS CANADENSIS:BUNCHBERRYLow spreading, dark green leaves. Good under pines,in woods, etc. Needs moister areas. Native.

COTONEASTER APICULATUS:CRANBERRY COTONEASTERGood bank cover. Many varieties.

HEMEROCALLIS SPECIES:DAYLILY Spreading, flower accent. Many varieties. Perennial.

HOSTA:HOSTAFine foliage plant; flowering. Many varieties. Perennial.

PARTHENOCISSUS QUINQUEFOLIA:VIRGINIA CREEPERClimbing and spreading vine. Red fall foliage.Native.

VACCINIUM ANGUSTIFOLIUM:LOWBUSH BLUEBERRYLow, open shrub with edible berries.

Planting Suggestions

TYPICAL SITE SECTION All three following landscape plans follow the same general patternillustrated here. We suggest you use ornamental plants

closer to the house (and further from the lake)only because of the tendency to use fertilizer

and pesticides to keep them at their best.

ORNAMENTALS NEAR HOUSE • NATIVES NEAR SHORE

VIEWS TO LAKE

Mowed Lawn

Small Shrubs andGroundcover

Medium Shrubs

Shore

Embankment Cover:Small Shrubs and Groundcovers

Small TreesEvergreen TreesLarge Shrubs

SMALL SHRUBS

PLANT 3 – 4 FEET APART

JUNIPERUS HORIZONTALIS SPECIES:JUNIPERSpreading, needled trailing branches. Manyvarieties.

JUNIPERUS CHINENSIS SPECIES:JUNIPERSpreading, needled trailing branches. Many varieties.Sizes from small to large.

POTENTILLA FRUTICOSA:BUSH CINQUEFOILFine texture, flowers from June-September. Manyvarieties.

ROSA SPECIES:SHRUB ROSE (DWARF)Showy summer flower. Many varieties.NOTE: Not to be confused with RosaMultiflora, an invasive species.

RHUS AROMATICA ‘GRO-LOW’:GROW-LOW FRAGRANT SUMACLow, spreading habit, flowers in spring. Good forbanks.

SALIX PURPUREA ‘NANA:DWARF ARCTIC WILLOW

Low and arching branches, powdery blue foliage.

SPIRAEA SPECIES:SPIRAEA (DWARF)Good flower, fine texture, many varieties.

STEPHANANDRA INCISA ‘CRISPA’:CUTLEAF STEPHANANDRA Low, spreading growth. Roots easily; nice, crinklyfoliage.

SAMPLE LANDSCAPE PLAN1FULL SUN- LEVEL SITE

Small shrubs and ground coversedge winding path of grass,mulch, stone, or flagstones.

Evergreens frameviews and provide

background for shrubsand small trees

Minimize mowed lawn area.Keep it cut high.

Open areas can be allowedto grow with the possibleaddition of wildflowers.

Plants forshade andprivacy

In this plan we assume the lawn area is retained and is allowed togrow fairly high to help protect the lake. A buffer is located betweenthe lawn area and the lake with a modest footpath through it.

SUN

SHADE

SUN TO SHADE

EVERGREEN

DECIDUOUS

ATTRACTS WILDLIFE

KEY

PLANTINGLEGEND

GROUNDCOVERS

SMALL SHRUBS

MEDIUM SHRUBS

LARGE SHRUBS

SMALL/MEDIUM TREES

LARGE TREES

EVERGREEN TREES

Leave lake edge togrow naturally. Small

shrubs & groundcoversmay be added.

MEDIUM SHRUBS

PLANT 4 – 5 FEET APART

AESCULUS PARVIFLORA:BOTTLEBRUSH BUCKEYELarge leaves and flowers, spreads.

ARONIA ARBUTIFOLIA:RED CHOKEBERRYWhite flower, red fruit and fall foliage. Native.

CHAENOMELES SPECIES:FLOWERING QUINCE Dark, glossy green, spring flower.

CLETHRA ALNIFOLIA:SUMMERSWEETDeep green foliage with fragrant, white or pinkflowers in summer.

CORNUS RACEMOSA:GRAY DOGWOODUpright, spreading. Small white flowers and berries.Native.

CORNUS STOLINIFERA:REDOSIER DOGWOODUpright, spreading. Red fall color. Native.

COTONEASTER DIVARICATA:SPREADING COTONEASTERSpreading, dark green. Good fall color.

ILEX VERTICILLATA:WINTERBERRYGlossy foliage, red berries in fall.

MYRICA PENNSYLVANICA:BAYBERRYGood foliage plant. Native.

PINUS MUGO ‘MUGO’:DWARF MUGO PINESmall shrub pine. Good form.

PRUNUS CISTENA:PURPLELEAF SAND CHERRYDeep purple foliage, pink/white flowers.

RHODODENDREN SPECIES:RHODODENDRONProtect from winter wind. Showy flowers, manyvarieties.

SPIRAEA SPECIES:SPIRAEAGood flower, fine texture. Many varieties.

PLANTINGLEGEND

GROUNDCOVERS

SMALL SHRUBS

MEDIUM SHRUBS

LARGE SHRUBS

SMALL/MEDIUM TREES

LARGE TREES

EVERGREEN TREES

As in the previous plan, we assume the lawn area is retained and isallowed to grow fairly high to help protect the lake. The buffer islocated among the existing trees between the lawn area and the lake

and has a narrow footpath through it. Our planting suggestions assume you don’t need toplant additional trees on site. Instead it emphasizes filling in the under story with new

vegetation. Someevergreens areincluded for yearround screeningand framing ofviews.

SAMPLE LANDSCAPE PLAN2SHADY LEVEL SITE

Plants for privacy

Plants for screening

Minimize mowed lawnarea. Keep it cut high.

Natural “duff” layer undertrees needs no maintenance.

Small shrubs & groundcoversedge winding path of mulch,stone or flagstones.

Evergreens helpframe views.

Leave lake edge to grownaturally. Small shrubs &groundcovers may be added.

SYMPHORICARPOS ALBUS LAEVIGATUS:COMMON GARDEN SNOWBERRYSmall pink flowers, white berries. Spreadsunderground. Native.

TAXUS SPECIES:YEWTraditional evergreen shrub. Many varieties, sizes andforms.

VACCINIUM CORYMBOSUM:HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRYEdible berry. Reddish fall foliage.

VIBURNUM ACERIFOLIM:MAPLELEAF VIBURNUMBranched shrub. Clusters of white flowers in latespring.

LARGE SHRUBS

PLANT 6 – 8 FEET APART

CARAGANA ARBORESCENS:PEASHRUBTall arching form, fine texture, small yellow flower.

ENKIANTHUS CAMPANULATUS:REDVEIN ENKIANTHUSGood flower and fall color.

FORSYTHIA SPECIES:FORSYTHIAEarly spring flower, spreading. Many varieties.

Plants for shade and privacy

Plants for screening

Minimize mowed lawn area. Keep it cut high.

Use small shrubs and groundcovers to beginplantings at top of slope.

Small and large trees help frame views.

Use mulch, stone or flagstones on path.Timbers or stone can be used for steps.

Different sized plants help edge path.

Leave lake edge to grow naturally. Small shrubs &groundcovers may be added.

Sloped sites can sometimes be stabilized with vegetation alone if thebottom of the slope is not being undercut by water/wave action andthe slope is not greater than one foot of rise over three feet of

distance. Because site conditions vary from the top of the slope (very well drained soils) to the base of the slope (fluctuatingwater table), the plants must be selected to take this into account. Steeper slopes, those with one foot of rise in two feet orless of distance, should have erosion control netting. Very steep slopes may need walls or terraces. Erosion control isimportant when working on slopes. Besure no soil can wash down to the water!

SUN

SHADE

SUN TO SHADE

EVERGREEN

DECIDUOUS

ATTRACTS WILDLIFE

KEY

PHYSOCARPUS OPULIFOLIUS:NINEBARKFast grower, white flowers, Common reddish-brownfruit capsules.

RHODODENDRON CAROLINIANUM:CAROLINA RHODODENDRONMedium texture, showy flower.

SAMPLE LANDSCAPE PLAN3SLOPED SITE-SUNNY

RHODODENDRON CATAWBIENSE:CATAWBA RHODODENDRONCoarser texture, showy flower.

RHUSGLABRA:SMOOTH SUMAC Upright, good red fall color. Native.

SYRINGA VULGARIS/LILACShowy, fragrant flowers. Spreads. Many varieties.

THUJAOCCIDENTALIS:AMERICAN ARBORVITAEUpright, pyramidal. Native.

VIBURNUM LENTAGO:NANNYBERRY VIBURNUMLarge shrub/small tree, white flower.

VIBURNUM LANTANA:WAYFARING TREE VIBURNUMUpright, arching habit, white flower, red fall color.Native.

SMALL/MEDIUM TREES

PLANT 25 – 30 FEET APART

ACER GINNALA:AMUR MAPLESpreading dwarf maple, red summer fruit, brilliant fallcolor.

AMELANCHIER ARBOREA:SERVICEBERRYMulti-stemmed, good fall color. Needs moisterareas.

BETULA PAPYRIFERA:PAPER BIRCHFine texture, white bark. Native.

CERCIDIPHYLLUM JAPONICUM:KATSURA TREENice form, fall color. Needs moister areas.

CORNUS ALTERNIFOLIA:PAGODA DOGWOODHorizontal branching, white flower, bluish fruit.Native.

CRATAEGUS SPECIES:HAWTHORNDark green, nice form. Many varieties.

GLEDITSIA TRIACANTHOS INERMIS:THORNLESS HONEYLOCUSTLight texture, yellow fall color.

HAMAMELIS VIRGINIANA:COMMON WITCH HAZELMulti-stemmed. Yellow flower in fall.

MALUS SPECIES:CRABAPPLEShowy flower/fruit. Many varieties.

SYRINGA RETICULATA:JAPANESE TREE LILACWhite flower. Nice bark and form.

LARGE TREES

PLANT 30 – 40 FEET APART

ACER SACCHARUM:SUGAR MAPLE Brilliant fall foliage, good form. Native.

FAGUS AMERICANA:AMERICAN BEECHLarge tree, fine form and texture. Dense shade.

FRAXINUS PENNSYLVANICA:GREEN ASHFast grower, medium/coarse texture. Differentvarieties.

OSTRYA VIRGINIANA:HOPHORN BEAM Beech-like, golden yellow foliage in fall.

QUERCUS RUBRA:NORTHERN RED OAKFast growing oak. Native.

SUN

SHADE

SUN TO SHADE

EVERGREEN

DECIDUOUS

ATTRACTS WILDLIFE

KEY

MARKSHAIN

Plants to AvoidSome common, non-native landscape plants haveinvasive qualities that allow them to outcompetenative plants & have devastating effects on theenvironment. Some spread by creeping – others byberries that are eaten by birds. Some non-nativeinvasives produce millions of seeds each summer;producing plants that will quickly smother entirehabitats!

Most invasive plants do not have the propernutritional content, and can actually be harmful towildlife. Control measures, such as herbicides, usedto rid areas of invasive species can also threatenhabitats and wildlife.

The following plants should be completely avoided:

•Autumn Olive Elaeagnus umbellata•Bishop Weed (Gout Weed) Aegopodium

podagraria•Bittersweet Celastrus orbiculata•Buckthorn (Common & Glossy) •Bush Honeysuckle Lonicera Tatarica & Morrowii•Burning Bush Euonymus alatus (including the

lightly fruiting” variety•Common Reed Phragmites australis•Crown Vetch Coronilla varia•Japanese Barberry (including dwarf varieties)•Japanese Honeysuckle Lonicera japonica•Japanese Knotweed Polygonum cuspidatum•Multiflora & Rugosa Rose •Norway Maple (including Crimson King variety)•Purple Loosestrife Lythrum Salicaria•Russian Olive Elaeagnus angustifolia

Check with a reputable nursery if you have questionsabout whether or not a particular plant has invasivepotential.

EVERGREEN TREES

(PLANT 15 – 25 FEET APART)

ABIES FASERI:FRASER FIRDark green needles, Silver underneath.

PICEA GLAUCA:WHITE SPRUCEGood screen. Native.

PICEA PUNGENS:COLORADO SPRUCELarge conical shape, blue or green needles.

PINUS NIGRA:AUSTRIAN PINE Dark green needle. Good screen.

PINUS RESINOSA:RED PINEFast grower with long needles. Good screen.

PINUS STROBUS:WHITE PINESubject to salt injury. Good screen. Native.

TSUGA CANADENSIS:CANADIAN HEMLOCKPartial shade preferred. Needs moister areas.

MARKSHAIN

Sebago Lake WatershedMany of our watershed protectionefforts are carried out from our LakeOffice. We’re located in Standish atthe intersection of Routes 35 and 237.

Call us (774-5961) or stop by for information about our programs.

Lake Stewards Grants

DIRECT WATERSHED

INDIRECT WATERSHED

PORTLAND WATER DISTRICT

1 WHITE ROCK ROAD

STANDISH, ME 04084

1-207-774-5961

Have you received a WatershedProperty Consultation? Would youlike some financial assistance ingetting the work on the ground? Byparticipating in the WPC program youare eligible for a Lake Stewards Grant,up to 50% in matching grant funds toimplement the recommended waterquality improvements. Individuals,lake and camp road associations,businesses, municipalities and other

groups are all welcome to apply. Thelargest awards go to the projects thatprovide the most benefit to the lake.

Interested? See page 2 for detailsabout how to receive a WatershedProperty Consultation. Please callPWD’s Water Resources Departmentat 774-5961 ext. 3305, 3336, or 3338.Call today! The number of grants wecan provide each year is limited.