22.46.070 Plant materials.
A. All plants shall be of the type, size and condition specified in this chapter. They shall exhibit normal habits of growth for the species, shall have buds intact, and shall be free of disease, insects, indications of strawberry root weevil, seed and weed roots, and scars, bruises, and breaks.
B. Plant names shall conform to the latest edition of “Standard Plant Names” as adopted by the American Joint Committee of Horticultural Nomenclature.
C. All plants shall conform to American Association of Nurserymen (AAN) grades and standards as published in the “American Standard for Nursery Stock” manual.
D. All plants shall be hardy for the Monroe area.
E. Plants shall be well suited to the local climate and soil conditions. Selection shall consider soil type and depth, the amount of maintenance required, spacing, exposure to sun and wind, the slope and contours of the site, and compatibility with existing native vegetation preserved on the site. Preservation of existing vegetation is strongly encouraged. The use of xeriscape (low water usage) and plantings approved for low impact development techniques are highly encouraged.
F. All plants shall be from stock which has been cultivated and acclimatized to conditions similar to those prevailing at the project site.
G. All plants shall have the following minimum size at installation:
1. Street trees: deciduous only permitted: two and one-half inch caliper, measured at breast height.
2. Other deciduous trees: two-inch caliper, measured at breast height.
3. Evergreen trees: eight- to ten-foot minimum height range.
4. Vine maples and other multi-stemmed trees: six- to eight-foot minimum range.
5. Medium and tall shrubs: minimum five-gallon size.
6. Ground cover: four-inch minimum pot size planted eighteen inches on center and cover within two years.
7. Ground cover: one-gallon minimum pot size planted a maximum of three feet on center, depending on growth habits and cover within two years.
H. Invasive plants are not permitted.
I. Ground cover shall be selected for rapid growth and coverage in order to reduce erosion and maintenance.
J. Mulch.
1. Required plantings, except turf or areas of established ground cover, shall be covered with two inches or more of organic mulch to minimize evaporation and runoff. Mulch shall consist of materials such as yard waste, sawdust, and/or manure that are fully composted. All mulches used in planter beds shall be kept at least six inches away from the trunks of shrubs and trees.
2. Bark, mulch, gravel or other nonvegetative material shall only be used in conjunction with ground cover plantings to assist growth and maintenance or to visually complement plant material. Nonvegetative material is not a substitute for and shall not appear to be dominant over plant material.
K. Plants shall be spaced appropriately for their type, function and the landscape design (massing, individual display, etc.). For example, plants used for screening may need to be spaced more closely. (Ord. 005/2019 § 10 (Exh. B))