Catalog 01: Wetlands & Bayous | Urban Green Initiative

Site Type

Wetlands & Bayous

Bayou margins, retention pond edges, and flood-prone bottomland sites along Houston's waterway network.

This catalog is designed using the Houston Miyawaki Forest Planning Guide v0.8 species selection criteria — all species validated for Houston's USDA zones 8a–8b and the specific site conditions of this catalog type.

Site Specifications

Planting Density 3.5 plants/sq meter (~325 plants per 1,000 sf)

Planting Window October–March

Self-Sustaining By Month 24–30

USDA Zones 8a–8b (Houston)

Species Composition

Recommended species mix

All species are native to the Houston region and validated for this site type. Percentages represent target proportions of total planting count.

Common Name	Scientific Name	Layer	% Mix	Notes
Bald Cypress	Taxodium distichum	Emergent	12%	Anchor species for wet margins; extreme flood tolerance
Water Oak	Quercus nigra	Emergent	8%	Fast-growing; tolerates seasonal flooding
Sweetbay Magnolia	Magnolia virginiana	Emergent	5%	Fragrant flowers; semi-evergreen; deer resistant
Redbay	Persea borbonia	Sub-Canopy	12%	Evergreen; fragrant foliage; excellent bird habitat. ⚠ Laurel Wilt advisory: threatened by Xyleborus glabratus vector spreading west through SE Texas — consult TPWD before sourcing
Possumhaw	Ilex decidua	Sub-Canopy	10%	Brilliant red berries; critical winter bird food
Yaupon Holly	Ilex vomitoria	Sub-Canopy	8%	Evergreen; highly adaptable; wildlife magnet
Coralberry	Symphoricarpos orbiculatus	Shrub	9%	Dense thicket-forming; exceptional pollinator value
Palmetto	Sabal minor	Shrub	8%	Flood tolerant; provides structural contrast
Fragrant Sumac	Rhus aromatica	Shrub	6%	Aggressive spreader; erosion control on banks
Texas Ironweed	Vernonia texana	Ground Cover	4%	Purple asters July–September; native Harris County species; nectar source
Blue Mistflower	Conoclinium coelestinum	Ground Cover	3%	Blue asters August–October; spreads by rhizome; native to Harris County bottomlands
Inland Sea Oats	Chasmanthium latifolium	Ground Cover	3%	Graceful grass; shade tolerant; good ground cover

Site-Specific Guidance

Key considerations for this site type.

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Hydrology First

Map seasonal flood patterns before planting. Species placement must account for varying inundation depths — Bald Cypress tolerates permanent saturation while Fragrant Sumac prefers elevated edges.

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Wildlife Corridor Value

Bayou-adjacent forests provide critical flyway habitat. Native berry producers (Possumhaw, Yaupon, Coralberry) should represent at least 30% of planting to maximize migratory bird value.

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Erosion Stabilization

Plant Fragrant Sumac and Coralberry densely on actively eroding banks — their root systems stabilize 2–3 feet of soil depth. Priority placement within 10 feet of water edge.

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Mosquito Mitigation

Dense canopy over standing water reduces mosquito breeding habitat by 60–70%. Prioritize rapid canopy closure through tight Redbay and Yaupon Holly spacing.