Somerset Reconstruction Boulevard Seeding

A Collaborative Venture Between The Regional Municipality Of Ottawa-Carleton And The Ottawa Horticultural Society

In early 1994, the O.H.S. was consulted as to the possibility of 'greening' the edges of a two-block section (Bay St. - Kent St.) of the soon-to-be reconstructed Somerset Boulevard. The questions were:

1. Were there any low maintenance, salt- and exposure-resistant plants that could grow and self-sow in beds to be constructed along the boulevard?
2. If beds were constructed, should they be located between the street and the sidewalk or between the sidewalk and the building/property line?
3. What type of soil would be most appropriate?
4. Would the O.H.S. be interested in collaborating with the R.M.O.C. in a planting experiment?

The O.H.S. was also asked to specify soil type and seed sources. A total of 158.64 m2 was to be planted.

Marilyn Light visited the site in March together with Councillor Diane Holmes. The north side of the boulevard is sunlit and buildings are set back further from the sidewalk. Here a wide variety of grasses and herbs were found to have grown and reproduced wherever suitable habitat existed. Many driveways break up the continuity of these blocks.

The south side of Somerset Blvd. between Lyon and Bay Streets borders a treed park. Few if any plants were found on the south side of the block bordered by Kent and Lyon Streets: nearby buildings blocked sunlight from reaching the ground.

After site visits and discussion, it was recommended that an experimental collaborative venture be undertaken. The O.H.S. would provide volunteer assistance but could not provide financial support.

Marilyn Light agreed to coordinate the project and prepared a proposal which was approved first by the O.H.5. Board, then by the R.M.O.C.Transportation Committee.

The O.H.S. recommended experimental planting of Polygonum aviculare (Prostrate Knotweed) and Medicago lupulina (Black Medick) in shaded beds bordering the park. The same plants would be introduced to beds on the north side of the boulevard and would be supplemented with Portulaca. No planting was recommended for the shaded south side of the boulevard between Lyon and Kent.

Prostrate Knotweed is an introduced annual plant well adapted to compacted soil. Birds feed on the seeds. Since there is no commercial seed source, the Society undertook to collect plants from suitable sites in late September/early October 1994 when the seed would be ripe.

It was important not to rely on any ine seed source. Whole plants were collected from a minimum of six locations in Ottawa/Hull by six members. The plants were air dried, threshed and crude seed pooled. Samples of the partially cleaned seed were surprisingly uniform, ranging from 93 to 139 seeds per gram. Seed was sown at a rate of 2000 seeds per square metre.

Black Medick is an introduced annual semi-prostrate clover with small clusters of bright yellow flowers. It can be mowed and will form a lush turf. Seed obtained commercially was sown in early November at a rate of 5g per square metre.

Portulaca is a semi-prostrate annual that frequently self-sows in the garden environment. The plant flowers best in sunny, hot, dry locations. This seed will be sown in spring at a rate of 1 g per square metre.

The beds will be monitored from March 1995 to asses germination of each type of plant and later the variations, if any, in plant populations with the experimental beds. A detailed report will be submitted.

Follow-up

2004

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