Native Plants
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Saturday - July 26, 2008
From: Pleasant Hill, MO
Region: Midwest
Topic: Erosion Control
Title: Erosion control near creek in Kansas City, MO
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I'm looking for something to plant to help stop erosion on my property. The spot I have in mind is on a slight natural grade heading toward the creek at the back of my property. Any ideas on what to plant - it is in a fairly shady spot? I live near Kansas City Missouri. Someone suggested daylilies - but don't they need a lot of sun?ANSWER:
First of all, daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.) are native to Europe and Asia and not native to North America. Since what we are all about here at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is "to increase the sustainable use and conservation of native wildflowers, plants and landscapes", Mr. SP wouldn't recommend planting daylilies. Besides, you are right that they do best in full sun.Grasses and sedges work well for erosion control because of their fibrous root systems that hold the soil and we can recommend several shade-loving ones that are native to Missouri.
Carex blanda (eastern woodland sedge) sun, part shade, shade and dry to moist soils, evergreen
Carex cherokeensis (Cherokee sedge) part shade and wet or moist soils, evergreen
Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania sedge) sun, part shade, shade and dry to moist soils, evergreen
Carex texensis (Texas sedge) sun, part shade and dry to moist soils
Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats) part shade, shade and dry to moist soils
Elymus canadensis (Canada wildrye) sun, part shade, shade and dry to moist soils
Eragrostis intermedia (plains lovegrass) part shade and dry soils
Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem) sun, part shade and dry soils
You could also use ferns.
Asplenium platyneuron (ebony spleenwort) part shade, shade and dry to moist soils, evergreen
Athyrium filix-femina (common ladyfern) part shade, shade and moist to wet soils
Osmunda cinnamomea (cinnamon fern) part shade and moist to wet soils
Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas fern) sun, part shade and dry to moist soils, evergreen
After your soil is stabilized by using the grasses, sedges, and/or ferns, you could also add wildflowers to the mix. You can find a list of commercially available native plants recommended for landscaping by choosing Missouri from the map on our Recommended Species page.
More Erosion Control Questions
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July 17, 2012 - Can you suggest plants to prevent and stabilize river bank erosion on Sheyenne River, ND?
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Plants to stop erosion in Arizona
January 17, 2009 - I'm looking for a plant to stop erosion; I have big wash outs that are starting to erode my yard so I guess I'm looking for deep rooting plants. I live south of Tucson, Arizona. If you can advise me...
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May 07, 2010 - We have a steep slope in our garden in Washington DC which has sun from noon to sun set. Could you please recommend some low maintenance plants which would be a good ground cover and limit erosion?
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March 03, 2009 - I hope you can help. Is there a way to plant some native shrubs and plants on a steep slope that is filled in some areas with rock without having to tier the slope? The section is approximately 50' w...
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Native plants for erosion control in sun in Canton PA
August 03, 2010 - We just cleared a bank and need native plants and shrubs to grow for erosion control. Much sun.
Thank you.
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