Traditionally, the use and selection of ornamental plants in urban and suburban areas has mostly relied on their aesthetics value.  While the ornamental value of these plants remains important, their potential to address different environmental problems has been gaining recognition.  Living green infrastructures (LGI), such as green roofs and bioretention cells, are gaining prevalence in urban environments and many Canadian jurisdiction have implemented programs to stimulate the use of these infrastructures. However, knowledge on species selection, performance of plant species, combined with the variable climatic conditions for this type of urban agriculture is scarce, especially under northern climates.

The project objective is to develop a plant selection tool based on functional traits associated with two major LGI functions in the urban context:

• carbon sequestration, and
• stormwater management, for shrubs and forbs currently grown in Canadian nurseries.