Stormwater Tolerant Plants
Stormwater plantings have become a growing feature in the urban landscape. These include
plantings within parks, such as rain gardens, as well as in the right of way, such as
greenstreets. The proper plant selection is crucial to ensure that the installation thrives; plants
intolerant of the variably wet and dry conditions of these spaces will not survive, while well-
chosen plants will thrive. In many cases, such as stormwater capture greenstreets, the plants
have better success than their non-stormwater counterparts. Tolerance of salt, sediments,
seasonally high rates of water flow as well as drought due to the sandy soil often used are all
crucial in selecting the ideal species.
Stormwater Tolerant Native Plants
As shown in the plant species pages preceding, a number of New York City‟s native plant
species are able to grow and thrive in the manmade environments of stormwater systems. They
are repeated here for the reader‟s convenience. Parks has field tested these species for at least
three years to gauge their performance. Note that these species can provide a wider array of
benefits than simply a tolerance of stormwater planting conditions. Many species can provide
food and habitat for native birds and insects, as well as enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the
area. These plants should be considered first when selecting a palette of plants for a rain
garden or other stormwater planting.
SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME
PLANTS THAT TOLERATE PERIODS OF INUNDATION
TREES
Acer rubrum Red Maple
Amelanchier arborea Downy Serviceberry
Amelanchier canadensis Shadblow Serviceberry
Amelanchier laevis Allegheny Serviceberry
Betula nigra River Birch
Betula populifolia Grey Birch
Carpinus caroliniana American Hornbeam
Celtis occidentalis Common Hackberry
Liquidambar styraciflua Sweetgum
Nyssa sylvatica Black Tupelo
Platanus occidentalis American Sycamore
Quercus bicolor Swamp White Oak
Quercus palustris Pin Oak
Quercus phellos Willow Oak