Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Tuesday - July 21, 2015
From: Jacksonville, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Planting, Propagation, Erosion Control, Ferns, Grasses or Grass-like, Herbs/Forbs, Shrubs, Trees
Title: Stopping erosion on bank of a Florida retention pond
Answered by: Guy Thompson
QUESTION:
I live on a retention pond, which has had all vegetation killed by the lake doctor. As a result the bank has eroded so there is a drop off directly to the water rather than a sloping bank. What plants can I use to prevent further erosion. The pond drains into the St. John's river.ANSWER:
I made a search of our website for moisture-loving plants well suited for Florida. Check out this site for species that fit your needs as to size, sun or shade preferences, etc. I include below a few species, chosen almost at random from the list, for your consideration.
Adiantum capillus-veneris (Southern maidenhair fern), Andropogon glomeratus (Bushy bluestem), Athyrium filix-femina ssp. asplenioides (Southern lady fern), Carex cherokeensis (Cherokee sedge), Carex hyalinolepis (Shoreline sedge), Viburnum nudum (Possumhaw viburnum), Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis (Common elderberry), Salix nigra (Black willow), Populus deltoides (Eastern cottonwood), Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal flower), Cephalanthus occidentalis (Common buttonbush), Equisetum hyemale (Scouringrush horsetail), and Iris virginica (Virginia iris).
Many of these plants should be available at your local plant nurseries.
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Recreating a wildflower meadow, central Texas
July 02, 2013 - We have an acre on our property that has bluebonnets. Unfortunately, it also has other plants that we don't want -Johnson grass, nettles, burrs.
We plan to do a controlled burn in the fall and re-...
view the full question and answer
Evergreen Groundcovers for a Sunny Clay Soil in NC
April 15, 2015 - We have a landscaping business in Stanfield, NC. We are looking for suggestions for evergreen groundcovers for a sunny clay area. They need to fill in quickly and stay low for 1,600 square feet. Than...
view the full question and answer
Will the
May 27, 2015 - I'm becoming interested in rain gardens, and although Silphium perfoliatum does not appear to be a host for butterfly caterpillars and like most of the "giant tall grass prairie daisies" may be a b...
view the full question and answer
Starting Yarrow (Achillea) and Daucus from Seed
July 16, 2014 - I need to deadhead my cottage yarrow. I assume it has gone to seed. What do I do to plant it as seed? If I can do it, can I do it now or do I need to wait until spring. If I need to wait until spring,...
view the full question and answer
Salt tolerant plants for Long Beach
May 12, 2013 - When Hurricane Sandy hit Long Beach, it has killed all my plants and now almost all of Long Beach is left with dead dried brown vegetation. I want to replant front with bushes and flowers. What woul...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |