A Wholesale Native Plant Nursery carries a variety of wetland mitigation plants. Wetland mitigation is the creation, restoration, or enhancement of wetlands, to compensate for wetlands that were or may be lost due to regulated activities or non-exempt agricultural activities. Wetland mitigation creation projects establish wetlands on upland sites. During creation projects, the elevations of the uplands are usually lowered by grading the soil for the purpose of increasing the frequency of soil saturation and flooding. Wetland restoration projects reestablish wetlands on sites where they were formerly located. Projects to improve the functions of existing wetlands by providing additional protection are considered wetland enhancement projects. Planting wetlands that are farmed or dominated by lawn grass is the most common type of enhancement project. Projects that can enhance existing wetlands, such as stabilizing the banks or restoring the natural meander pattern to a channelized stream, are examples of stream restoration projects. Enhancement projects do not, however, increase the acreage of wetlands.

One example of wetland mitigation plants is the Red Rucer Red Maple. The tree has an oval shape with string wood and is a fast grower. It is used for medium to wide tree lawns that are between four to six feet wide and over six feet in width. The Red Rucer Red Maple is typically used for barrier strips around parking lots or for median strip plantings in highways or as a residential street tree in northern and mild south climates. It can grow to between 60 and 70 feet in height with a spread of 23 to 35 feet. Its crown shape is oval, round and upright and its density is moderate, with a medium texture. The exceptional characteristic of the tree is its red, orange or yellow fall colors, sometimes all on the same tree, which lasts for several weeks. It is often one of the first trees to turn to fall colors and has a brilliant display.

Another example of wetland mitigation plants is the Split Beard Bluestem. Split Beard Bluestem is used as an ornament in landscapes and in flower arrangements because of its fluffy, cottony, or silvery appearing seed heads scattered over the length of each stem. To some people, the grass evokes images of shooting fireworks. It is a native, warm-season, herbaceous, perennial bunch grass that begins its growth in April. The stems are up to five feet tall, slender, and erect. The sheaths are purple and are covered with hair, especially during early plant growth. The upper part of the plant is rounded and the lower part is slightly flattened. The blade is ⅛ to ¼ inch wide, 10 to 16 inches long, usually hairy, and curly at maturity. The Split Beard Bluestem benefits wildlife. Several species of birds and mammals eat the seeds and use the plants for cover. After the seed disperses, a tuft of silver hair remains, which suggests the common name, paintbrush bluestem. The white-tailed deer and rabbits also browse the plant.

The nursery in which to find these plants and other wetland mitigation plants is TN Nursery. They can assist you with your wholesale needs.