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 - June 23, 2009
From: Richmond, VA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Erosion Control, Groundcovers, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Plants for a steep bank in Virginia
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I have a small yard with a 3 foot steep bank that I want to plant on. I am looking for fast growing ground cover. There is some shade but not a lot and has a southern exposure. Ground is a bit rough and packed. Any suggestions? Thanks.ANSWER:
Here are some suggestions for your 3-foot steep bank:
Phlox subulata (moss phlox) grows in sun and part shade, is evergreen and spreads quickly.
Phlox nivalis (trailing phlox) would also be good.
Artemisia ludoviciana (white sagebrush) is semi-evergreen and grows in dry soils.
Cornus canadensis (bunchberry dogwood) requires moist soil.
Mitchella repens (partridgeberry) grows in part shade and shade.
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (kinnikinnick) grows slowly.
The following are grasses and a sedge. If you are having trouble with, or have had, erosion on your slope, grasses with their fibrous roots are very good at holding the soil:
Muhlenbergia schreberi (nimblewill) grows in part shade and shade.
Muhlenbergia cuspidata (plains muhly) grows in sun.
Carex texensis (Texas sedge) grows in sun and part shade.
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
Arguments for planting native grasses in College Station TX
April 09, 2010 - I hear big ads about putting zoysia grass on my urban lawn but I would rather plant native grass, like Texas Bluegrass (for shady areas) and Blue Grama and Buffalograss grasses. What arguments can I g...
view the full question and answer
Grass for Seattle Arboretum
May 20, 2012 - I am writing to you on behalf of the Arboretum at South Seattle Community College Arboretum. I am interested in Panicum virgatum Switch Grass as a plant for a very heavy clay garden in our Arboretum a...
view the full question and answer
Is sulfurous well water affecting leaves on trees in Belton TX
November 07, 2011 - We installed an irrigation system for our buffalo grass lawn last spring. The grass is fine but the leaves on the trees are burned where the water hits them. I suspect that the well we are using fo...
view the full question and answer
Plants for a Narrow, Dry, Shaded Site in Georgia
April 03, 2014 - I am writing from Valdosta, GA. Could you please suggest three perennial shrubs and/or plants that flower at different times of the spring and summer? Also ones that can be planted in a 2 ft. wide s...
view the full question and answer
Plants for slope on Orcas Island, WA
July 21, 2011 - Hi! What a great site! Okay, I have a home on Orcas Island, WA. We live here from about June through September, but only visit once a month or so the other times of the year.
We are looking for somet...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |