Wadi

A wadi is a lowering (ditch) in public spaces, which serves to temporarily collect rainwater and allow it to infiltrate. Water from paving or roofs is often directed towards a wadi. Grass usually grows in wadis, but there are several plant species that can also be used to create plant beds with higher ornamental value in a wadi. Wadi planting has advantages:

– The wadi gets all the benefits of a planting area, such as ornamental value, biodiversity value and effects on health, wellbeing and property value.
– Larger evaporating plants than grass make the wadi dry again faster
– Planting roots and the soil life they attract keep the soil well-drained
– Plants absorb (manure) substances from the water and clean the
– Beplanting is een vriendelijke manier om kinderen en honden uit mogelijk vervuild water te houden

Wadi plants should have tolerance to at least moderate drought; after all, they are in well-drained soil where it is dry when it is not raining. In addition, they should tolerate short-term waterlogging (several days). The same plants as mentioned for infiltration bays are suitable for shallow sections and embankments of wadis. In some cases, the wadi is deep, the soil has low permeability or water runs into it frequently and heavily. In that case, it is smart to use plants * on the wettest areas that can tolerate even long or frequent waterlogging, in addition to dryness.

Some examples:

Names in green are native or contain native species*
*Can be on the bottom of a wadi, the rest on the embankments