Shallow Rooted Plants for Using on Drain Fields ♦ Pachysandra ( Pachysandra terminalis ) - shaded areas only Herbaceous annuals: ♦ Stone Crop ( Sedum species ) ♦ Ageratum or floss flower ( Ageratum ♦ Sword Fern ( Polystichum munitum ) houstonianum ) ♦ Thyme ( Thymus species ) ♦ Begonia—Wax ( Begonia semperflorens ) ♦ Wintergreen ( Gaultheria procumbens ) ♦ Coleus ( Coleus species ) Landscaping Septic ♦ Geranium ( Pelargonium x hortorum ) Wildflowers: For more information: ♦ Lobelia ( Lobelia erinus ) ♦ Prairie Onion ( Allium stellatum ) Contact the Master Gardener Drain Fields: ♦ ♦ Marigold ( Tagetes patula ) Pussytoes ( Antennaria neglecta ) Diagnostic Clinic ♦ ♦ Petunia ( Petunia x hybrida ) Blazing Star ( Liatris aspera ) May through September Do’s and Don'ts for ♦ ♦ Butterfly Weed ( Asclepias tuberosa ) Salvia ( Salvia species ) ♦ Sweet Alyssum ( Lobularia maritime ) ♦ Bigleaf Aster ( Aster macrophyllus ) Planting on ♦ Zinnia ( Zinnia elegans ) ♦ Pennsylvania sedge ( Carex pensylvancia ) Tuesdays 11:30 a.m.. - 2:30 p.m. ♦ Prairie Clover ( Dalea spp .) Drain Fields Herbaceous perennials: ♦ Purple Coneflower ( Echinacea angustifolia ) WSU Extension Office ♦ Armeria or Sea thrift ( Ameria maritime ) ♦ Wild Geranium ( Geranium maculatum ) 507 N Nanum, Room 2 ♦ Astilbe ( Astilbe x arendsii ) ♦ Wild Bergamont ( Monarda fistulosa ) Ellensburg, WA 98926 ♦ Basket of Gold ( Aurinia saxatilis ) - can also ♦ Penstemon ( Penstemon spp .) be used as a ground cover ♦ Pasqueflower ( Pulsatilla patens ) Phone: (509) 962-7507 ♦ Campanula or Bellflower ( Campanula ♦ Violets ( Viola spp.) Upper County Toll Free: (509) 674-2584 species ) Ext. 507 ♦ Candytuft ( Iberis sempervirens ) Grasses: ♦ Coral Bell ( Heuchera sanguinea ) ♦ Sideoats grama ( Bouteloua curtipendula ) ♦ Cottage (and other) Pinks ( Dianthus ♦ Blue Fescue ( Festuca ovina ‘Glauca’ ) http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us/extension/ species ) ♦ Blue grama ( Bouteloua gracilis ) default.asp ♦ Lavender ( Lavandula angustifolia ) ♦ Little bluestem ( Schizachyrium scoparium ) ♦ Lily of the Valley ( Convallaria majalis ) ♦ Prairie dropseed ( Sporobolus heterolepiss ) ♦ Snow-in-Summer ( Cerastium tomentosum ) ♦ June Grass ( Koeleria macrantha ) ♦ Sweet William ( Dianthus barbatus )

Ground Covers (all perennial): In Conclusion ♦ Bunchberry ( Cornus Canadensis ) Following these suggestions will help you WSU Extension programs and employment Written by Deborah Hill –WSU ♦ Carpet Bugle ( Ajuga reptans) successfully landscape your entire yard, are available to all without discrimination. ♦ Hens and Chicks ( Sempervivum tectorum ) including problem areas such as a drain field Evidence of non-compliance may be reported Master Gardener ♦ Irish Moss or Scotch Moss ( Sagina subulata and septic area. through your local WSU Extension office. syn. Arenaria verna ) Trade names may have been used to simplify in conjunction with ♦ Kinnickinnik ( Arctostaphylos uva-ursi ) the presentation of information. No endorsement of products is intended. Hilary Foss – WSU Master Gardener Coordinator 12/2003 Landscaping Septic Trees Vegetable Gardens and Drain Fields - Drain Fields a mixture of turf grasses like perennial rye and All trees listed are between 6’ and 25’ tall continued some broadleaf flowers (such as yarrow) can ♦ English Hawthorn ( Crataegus laevigata ) look good and require little maintenance. ♦ European Filbert ( Corylus avellana ) Minimize traffic, both human and animal to Kittitas County rural inhabitants are faced ♦ Glossy Buckthorn ( Rhamnus frangula ) avoid soil compaction, which interferes with the with unique challenges for landscaping their Small, shallow-rooted ornamental grasses (for ♦ Japanese Flowering Crabapple ( Malus flori- oxygen in the soil necessary to breakdown the septic drain fields. The challengers are unique instance, Festuca ovina ‘Glauca’, 4-10 inches) bunda ) effluent in the drain field. Some experts advise because of the underground structure of the can also be good looking. Very tall grasses ♦ Nanking or Manchu Cherry ( Prunus tomen- using gloves whenever coming in contact with drain field and the importance of keeping it such as Stipa gigantea aren’t appropriate, be- tosa ) the soil, as sewage effluent is distributed functioning properly and free of damage. cause of their deep roots. ♦ Sargent Crabapple ( Malus sargentii ) through the soil in the drain field area. ♦ Siebold Viburnum ( Viburnum sieboldii ) Additionally, leachate from drain fields may How Drain Fields Function Other possibilities are low-growing ground ♦ Willowleaf Pear ( Pyrus salicifolia ) carry pathogens that can be harmful to humans, A drain-field, or leach field, is a series of covers. Bugleweed ( Ajuga reptans ) and vinca which might be consumed when using vegeta- relatively shallow (a minimum of 6 inches (Vinca minor ) grow vigorously and will fill in Shrubs bles that have been grown on a septic drain field below the surface) underground, perforated quickly. The native kinnickinnick All shrubs listed grow between 2’ and 15’ tall site. pipes set in gravel tranches that allow septic (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi ) grows well in full ♦ Buttercup Winterhazel (Corylopsis platypetala) tank effluent to drain over a large area. As the sun, is known for its drought tolerance, but is ♦ Dwarf Currant (Ribes alpinum) Hints for Planning Landscapes with ♦ effluent seeps into the ground, it is purified by slow to establish. Avoid over-active plants Dwarf Flowering Almond (Prunus glandulosa) Drain Fields the soil. like English ivy ( Hedera helix ). ♦ Japanese Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles When making your landscape plans always re- japonica) member to leave accessibility for repairs and Plant cover helps your septic drain system to Trees and Shrubs for Drain Fields ♦ Japanese Spirea (Spiraea japonica) maintenance of your septic tank and drain field. function at its best by removing moisture and When planting shrubs and trees remember that ♦ Mock Orange (Philadelphus hybrids) nutrients from the soil. Permanent vegetation the larger the plant the more extensive the root ♦ Red Chokecherry (Aronia arbutifolia) Root barriers (geotextiles impregnated with long cover is required to minimize topsoil loss. system. A general rule of thumb to keep in ♦ Slender Deutzia (Deutzia gracilis) -lasting herbicide that kills plant roots) have Open sites are more susceptible to frost, mind is that the roots spread the same distance ♦ Wintercreeper Euonymus (Euonymus fortunei) been used, but can be expensive. heaving and erosion. Plants trap snow, which from a plant as is the height of the plant. For acts as mulch and prevents erosion. example, a 20’ tree will have a 20’ radius of Plastic groundcover material to minimize weeds roots around it. Be sure you know what the restricts oxygen transport and interferes with the Characteristics of Desirable Plants for full-grown height will be of the shrub or tree treatment process. Drain Fields you wish to plant so that it will grow as a safe

On a drain field, plants must have shallow distance from the drain field. Most trees Even though there are restrictions to consider roots, require little or no watering, and are low should be planted 20’ to 30’ away. when landscaping over a drain field, there are maintenance. Shallow rooted plants are many plant options available (see list below). necessary to avoid clogging the drainpipes Use plants that do not like water or we soils. Vegetable Gardens and Drain Fields Remember that the proper functioning of your and causing damage. Grasses are the most Trees known for seeking water, such as Vegetable gardening is not recommended, especially septic system is the main objective. ideal because they have fibrous root systems poplar, maple, willow, and elm should be root vegetables. Vegetable gardens require heavy that stabilize the soil and prevent erosion, planted a minimum of 50’ away or avoided watering, which reduces the ability of the system to provide year round cover, and have a high altogether. treat wastewater. Rototilling or double digging evapo-transpiration rate. Meadow grasses or Better choices include: could cause damage to the underground pipes, and the need for high maintenance increases traffic and compacted paths.