Shoreline Restoration & Native Planting Guide

Shoreline, Septic & Stormwater

Design, plant, and care for a living shoreline that protects water quality, stabilizes soil, and supports fish and wildlife—without giving up access or views.

Why Native Shorelines Work

Filter & Soak

Deep roots slow runoff, trap sediment, and take up nutrients

Stabilize

Roots knit soil; flexible stems dissipate wave and wake energy

Habitat

Flowers feed pollinators; stems and leaves shelter young fish and amphibians

Low-Input

Once established, natives need less fertilizer, watering, and mowing

Buffer Basics (Design in Plain Language)

  • Width

    Any vegetation helps; aim for 10–15 ft minimum. 25–35 ft is great where space allows.

  • Zoning
    • Upland band (dry): Grasses, flowers, and shrubs that handle sun/wind
    • Middle band (mesic): Mix of grasses/forbs/shrubs for average soils
    • Water-edge band (wet): Sedges, rushes, and moisture lovers
  • Access

    Keep a meandering path or a mowed viewing window; design first so you plant around it.

Quick Planting Plan (Small Lot Template)

  • Edge (wet)

    Plant 3–5 clumps of sedges/rushes spaced 1–2 ft

  • Middle

    60–70% grasses/sedges for structure + 30–40% flowers for color and pollinators

  • Upland

    Add 3–5 shrubs (spaced 4–6 ft) for framing and bird cover; fill between with tough grasses

Picking Plants by Site

Sun & Dry

Deep-rooted prairie grasses and drought-tolerant flowers

Sun & Moist

Tall grasses/sedges with moisture-loving flowers

Part Shade

Woodland-edge flowers and clumping grasses

Shade & Moist

Shade-tolerant sedges, ferns, and low shrubs

Installation Steps (Weekend-Friendly)

  1. Map access first (path, dock zone, view window)
  2. Smother weeds: Cardboard + 3–4 in mulch for 4–6 weeks, or carefully strip sod
  3. Plant in groups of 3–7 of the same species; space tightly to cover soil
  4. Mulch lightly (1–2 in) around new plants—keep stems clear
  5. Water deeply weekly in the first growing season if rains are scarce
  6. Label sections so helpers know what's planted where

Maintenance Calendar

Spring:
Cut last year's stems to 6–8 in after overwintering insects emerge; top up mulch sparingly
Summer:
Spot-weed monthly; re-edge paths; water during drought in year 1–2
Fall:
Leave stems/seedheads for habitat; rake only what blocks paths
Every Year:
Walk the bank after storms; reseed bare spots; add a few plugs to thicken thin areas

Designing for Views & Use

  • Keep tall plants to the sides, shorter in the viewing window
  • Use curves so the eye reads depth; frame the view with shrubs at the edges
  • Choose lower-growing species near docks and swim entries

Do / Don't

Do:
  • Plant densely; mix heights and bloom times
  • Keep soil covered year-round
  • Leave some coarse woody habitat (where safe) at the toe of slope
Don't:
  • Clear plants to bare sand; it invites erosion and algae-fueling runoff
  • Blanket the shore with rock without fixing grade and vegetation

Seed vs. Plugs

Seed

Budget-friendly for larger areas; needs 2–3 seasons to fill

Plugs

Instant structure and weed resistance; higher upfront cost

Blend

Seed the background, plug the edges and problem spots

Common Problems & Fixes

  • Weeds outcompeting

    Add mulch, increase plant density, hand-weed before seed set

  • Gaps/erosion at waterline

    Add sedge/rush plugs 12–18 in apart; consider coir logs on gentle banks

  • Mucky footpaths

    Lay stepping stones or wood chips to keep traffic off roots

Myths—And Better Takes

Myth

"Native means messy"

Better Take

Thoughtful layouts with edges/paths look clean and intentional

Myth

"Plants attract mosquitoes"

Better Take

Moving water and predators thrive in planted edges; standing water in containers is the real culprit

Myth

"Rock is maintenance-free"

Better Take

Rock collects weeds/sediment and reflects wave energy

Quick Worksheet (Plan Your Buffer)

Available width: ______ ft
Sun/Shade: __________________
Soil moisture: Dry / Average / Moist
Access window width: ______ ft
Species list: _______________________________________________
Planting date: ______________
Water plan (first season): _______

Bottom Line

A layered, native shoreline buffer filters runoff, resists erosion, and supports life—while preserving access and views when designed with intention.

Related Topics

Key Takeaways

  • Aim for 10-15 ft minimum buffer width
  • Zone plants by moisture: wet/middle/upland
  • Design access paths before planting
  • Plant in groups of 3-7 for impact
  • Water weekly in first season
  • Leave stems standing through winter

Buffer Width Guide

  • Any width: Better than none
  • 10-15 ft: Minimum effective
  • 25-35 ft: Great protection
  • 50+ ft: Maximum benefit

Planting Mix

  • 60-70%: Grasses/sedges (structure)
  • 30-40%: Flowers (color/pollinators)
  • 3-5 shrubs: Framing/bird cover

Need Plant Selection Help?

Contact your local conservation district, native plant nursery, or lake association for site-specific plant recommendations.

Get Help