landscaping icon Landscaping
Use natural materials—plants and soils—to slow, filter, and infiltrate stormwater runoff… all within the space of the public right-of-way.


Natural Drainage Systems Plantings

Because space available in the right-of-way is limited, the project team for SEA Street created landscaping that is both useful and beautiful.

Grasses, sedges and rushes physically filter pollutants out of stormwater. The project designers followed the concept of "right plant, right place," selecting non-invasive species that can survive with little maintenance in our local climate. Trees with smaller root systems fit more easily within the right-of-way; plants that thrive in wetlands have been placed in the lower, moist areas of the stormwater swales and ponds.

The landscape design includes mostly native Pacific Northwest species and some ornamentals. Initially, over 100 deciduous and evergreen trees and 1100 shrubs were planted here. Nearly 100% of these plants have survived over the 4 year life of the project.