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Friday - July 17, 2015

From: Pace, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Erosion Control, Grasses or Grass-like, Shrubs
Title: Hillside Erosion in Pace FL
Answered by: Larry Larson

QUESTION:

I have a hillside that slopes down about 10 feet to a spring fed pond. The pond drains into Escambia Bay. We have 2 dams with culverts to control the flow of water. Last year during a torrential rainstorm the bank eroded and the upper dam overflowed, depositing lots of dirt into the pond. I've had the pond scooped out and the dam repaired and dirt has been deposited onto the eroded bank. What can I plant in the hillside to prevent erosion, but not obstruct the view of the bay?

ANSWER:

This Mr Smarty Plants likes to review the archives for suggestions before inventing any new ones. The following MSP question/answer pairs address similar topics and come from areas that are not too far from yours.

Groundcover to prevent erosion in Florida 

Plants for 60 degree slope in Mobile, AL 

Plants for banks of a retention pond in Alabama 

Planting for steep slope in Alabama 

Privacy screen for Pace Florida 


  In addition to advice and discussion in all of the above, several native plants were suggested that coul dwell be useable for your situation.  Consider the following:

Grasses:   Carex blanda (Eastern woodland sedge)Andropogon glomeratus (Bushy bluestem)Andropogon virginicus (Broomsedge bluestem)Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass)Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats)

Groundcovers/wildflowers  Calyptocarpus vialis (Straggler daisy)Mitchella repens (Partridgeberry)Packera aurea (Golden groundsel)Packera obovata (Golden groundsel)Salvia lyrata (Lyreleaf sage)

Shrubs   Lantana urticoides (Texas lantana)Hibiscus coccineus (Scarlet rosemallow)Itea virginica (Virginia sweetspire), Lindera benzoin (Northern spicebush)

Several taller shrubs and trees were suggested, in particular in the last discussion of a privacy screen, if you can accept ten foot plants, you may want to consider a few of those.

Our philosophy about determining plants for erosion control was well described in the first discussion.  This is: “Native grasses are an excellent choice for controlling erosion because they develop extensive fibrous root systems that hold the soil in place. Seeds can be sown under an erosion control blanket or grass plugs can be planted through the blanket. After the grasses have begun to establish themselves and stabilize the area you can add other plants. On the pond edge you could consider adding some attractive aquatic or semi-aquatic plants to help prevent the erosion.”   This is good advice for your situation also.

 

From the Image Gallery


Eastern woodland sedge
Carex blanda

Bushy bluestem
Andropogon glomeratus

Broomsedge
Andropogon virginicus

Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum

Horseherb
Calyptocarpus vialis

Golden groundsel
Packera obovata

Partridgeberry
Mitchella repens

Golden groundsel
Packera obovata

Texas lantana
Lantana urticoides

Scarlet rosemallow
Hibiscus coccineus

Virginia sweetspire
Itea virginica

Northern spicebush
Lindera benzoin

More Erosion Control Questions

Stopping erosion on bank of a Florida retention pond
July 21, 2015 - 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 plan...
view the full question and answer

Erosion control in Ohio
April 23, 2014 - We live on the north side of the Maumee River in Toledo, OH. We are looking to plant something low (3' max) that will stabilize the very steep hill leading down to the river, preventing erosion. Wo...
view the full question and answer

Erosion control in Charleston WV
August 26, 2009 - I live in Charleston, WV and just purchased a home that has a hill side out back that has some erosion occurring. I was wondering what would be the best ground cover to plant in my area to control the...
view the full question and answer

Plants to prevent bank erosion in Georgia
January 20, 2009 - I NEED LIST OF PLANTS TO HELP PREVENT BANK EROSION. WE LIVE AT BOTTOM OF HILL THAT FURTHER SLOPES TO A POND. THE AREA IS SHADY AND WET FACING NORTHEAST. ANY RAIN CAUSES THE POND TO MUD UP. WE HAVE...
view the full question and answer

Possibilities of plants for bank shale ledge in Johnstown, PA
April 20, 2008 - We have a mountain that we ripped out to build our house. The remaining ledge is mostly bank shale and everyone is telling us that nothing will grow on the hillside due to it being bank shale and a p...
view the full question and answer

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