The existing state of the site and the land you are evaluating for transformation. Often the construction of landscapes requires bringing new materials to an existing site. The conditions and materials of your lot right now—or the on-site conditions—are the most important factor in determining what else to bring or include. Starting where you are—or understanding, acknowledging and working with your on-site conditions—will get you the most bang for your buck.
The proposed network of open space in the Detroit Strategic Framework. Networks of open space connect many different types of landscapes and open space land uses creating a ‘rainbow of green.’
A Pangaea is a lot with a cluster of trees growing only in the back third of the lot, with grasses growing underneath. This clump of trees runs across multiple lots, making the namesake ‘Pangaea’ or ‘super continent’ of trees on a single block. This lot type tends to occur on residential blocks that have more open lots than houses. Pangaea lots can act as the lungs of a neighborhood, are great for a Blendable strategy, as well as for adding more trees.
A perennial is a plant that lives for longer than two years. Some of the meadow designs in the Field Guide include a mix of perennials and annuals, however, most of the site designs contain perennials, which will not require re-seeding your lot every year.
An official document giving someone permission to do something. In this case, it is a way to obtain permission for certain activities and interventions in order to ensure that your activities are safe and fit with the City’s plans for your neighborhood. Permits are very important, and for construction in Detroit, are required and issued by the City– and sometimes also by the State.
A surface that allows water to infiltrate through it. An example of an pervious surface is a playing field or your backyard.
Fun and safe spaces (and plants) for cats, dogs, and other pets.
Small-sized seedlings grown in a tray. Plugs are larger and older then seeds, but not as established as plants purchased in pots.
An insect or animal that moves pollen from one flower to another to help achieve fertilization. Animals such as birds, bees, butterflies, and moths are considered pollinators. Pollinators play a very important role in our ecosystem including our food web. Many of the foods we eat and love (such as apples, blueberries, chocolate, almonds, peaches, and even tequila) rely upon the friendly hustle of pollinators.
The containers in which nursery plants are transported. Nursery plants are sold in standard pot sizes. You will notice the Field Guide’s planting list identifies potted plants by the pot size.
Estimate based on current cost of materials and gasoline, does not include permitting or professional service fees.
The Priority Drainage Districts are areas within the city of Detroit designated by the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department as priority areas to develop green infrastructure to reduce the volume of stormwater that flows into the city’s combined sewer system.
A horticultural method of removing parts of plants such as branches, buds or roots to stimulate growth. The appropriate time to prune and how to prune is different for each plant or tree, so it is important to research or ask an arborist.