(A) Selection.
(1) Planting materials used in conformance with the provisions of this section shall be of good quality of a species normally grown in northeastern Illinois and capable of withstanding the extremes of individual site microclimates. The plants listed in Table 1 of Appendix A shall be used unless alternate species that meet the intent of the paragraph are approved by the Director of Planning or his or her designee. Size and density at the time of planting and at maturity are additional criteria which must be considered when selecting plant materials.
(2) All live herbaceous perennial plants, tubers, bulbs and dormant rootstocks of herbaceous perennial native plants used in natural landscaping and in natural drainage areas shall have derived from parent generations that originated within a 150 mile radius of the village. Major native grass seed, provided as "pure live seed", and other grass, sedge, rush, and forb seeds of species that are native to northeastern Illinois shall be from genera occurring naturally within a 150 mile radius of the village.
(B) Installation. All landscaping material shall be installed in accordance with the planting procedures established by the American Association of Nurserymen. Seeding of natural landscaping areas with native seed shall conform to generally accepted seeding procedures, methods, and times for prairie plantings in northeastern Illinois.
(C) Maintenance.
(1) Responsibility. The owner of the property, or subsequent owners, shall be jointly and generally responsible for the maintenance of all landscape materials. Any plant materials such as shrubs, trees and ground covers that die, are in decline, or supporting less than 50% healthy leaf growth shall be replaced in compliance with the approved landscape plan. The same maintenance requirements shall apply to those properties without an approved landscape plan on file.
(2) Watering plant material. A permanent means to water plant material, such as hose bibs or an underground irrigation system, shall be provided. Installation of an automatic underground sprinkling system is recommended for turf grass lawns.
(3) Screening. All screening, including fences, walls and landscaping shall be protected from damage by motor vehicles, pedestrians, snow, or salt that could reduce the effectiveness of the screening.
(D) Natural landscaping.
(1) Potted herbaceous perennial plants shall meet or exceed 85% survivorship of all plants and a minimum 75% survivorship of any one species in healthy, vigorous condition, one full growing season following acceptance by the village.
(2) Seeded grasses/sedges and forbs shall meet or exceed 70% plant cover, with seedlings of five planted native species present and widely distributed, one full growing season following acceptance by the village.
(3) Seeded grasses/sedges and forbs shall meet or exceed 80% plant cover, 5% cover by planted native grass/sedge species, 10% cover by planted forb species, and 20% of planted species found in a healthy and vigorous condition after two full growing seasons.
(4) Seeded grasses/sedges and forbs 95% plant cover, 20% cover by planted native grass/sedge species, 40% cover by planted forb species, and 50% of planted species found in a healthy and vigorous condition after four full growing seasons.
(Ord. 7-5, passed 1-24-07)