Shrubs and trees shade the water, maintaining a suitable temperature for fish. The whole filtering, shading, and stabilizing process protects sensitive aquatic habitats, which is why we speak about creating forest buffers along rivers and streams. Not every homeowner has the space or inclination to put a forest in their yard. What's important to know is that the bigger the plant, the more it benefits the stream. Traditional lawns have shallow root systems, provide no shade or habitat, and don't absorb much rainwater.
Meadows are better, shrub communities better still, and forests best of all.
The plantings at Paper Mill Run are designed, in part, to offer a selection of alternatives to traditional lawns. Many of the plants were chosen because of their ornamental qualities. Only plants native to Southeastern Pennsylvania were included in our selections. It is preferable to use regionally native species because they are well adapted to local growing conditions. In addition, native plants work symbiotically with the native animal community.