Explore Plants
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.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
Tuesday - June 30, 2009
From: Crystal Lake, IL
Region: Midwest
Topic: Erosion Control, Groundcovers, Grasses or Grass-like, Shrubs
Title: Plants for a sandy slope at a weekend cabin in central WI.
Answered by: Anne Bossart
QUESTION:
I have a cabin in central Wisconsin where the soil is equivalent to a sandy beach. There are some areas that are nearly impossible to mow because of how steep the incline is. Could you recommend some plants (preferably ground cover or low shrubs) that might work. The area ranges from full sun to full shade. Additionally watering constantly is a problem as it is only a weekend home. Thank you in advance.ANSWER:
Well, you are certainly faced with a challenge. Although there are plenty of groundcovers and low spreading shrubs that will grow (and thirive) in your conditions, they will all need watering until they are established. It would be advisable to wait until the weather is a bit cooler to plant, if you can't be there to water every few days.
Grasses are ideal for holding even sandy banks as they have fibrous root systems. If you simply stop mowing, you may find that there are already some attractive native grasses or sedges (Carex) on your slope. Here are a few more that are suitable:
Ammophila breviligulata (American beachgrass)
Bouteloua curtipendula (sideoats grama)
Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem)
A combination search of our native plant data base yields over 50 recommended shrubs. Shrubs that spread with stolons are ideal. Here are a few from the list which would be great at a cabin.
Amelanchier stolonifera (running serviceberry) - pictures
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (kinnikinnick)
Ceanothus americanus (New Jersey tea)
Comptonia peregrina (sweet fern)
Gaultheria procumbens (eastern teaberry)
Rhus aromatica (fragrant sumac)
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus (coralberry)
Vaccinium angustifolium (lowbush blueberry)
There are also a couple ferns that would work in a shadier spot:
Polypodium virginianum (rock polypody)
Pteridium aquilinum (western brackenfern)
More Groundcovers Questions
Dog wallowing in damp area in garden from Great Bend KS
March 20, 2013 - I Have a wet area in my back yard that is close to my house. and off my patio there is a water hydrant,gas meter, electrical for my hot tub, my sprinkler valves and pump all there. My dog digs throug...
view the full question and answer
Plants for under Oak Trees in LA.
March 05, 2013 - What type of plants and grass can be planted under and around oak trees
view the full question and answer
Need suggestions for plants to put between stones on a path in Austin, TX
April 12, 2013 - I am looking for plants to put between stones on a path, which are low-an inch or two, green, low water and tolerate full sun in Austin, Texas
view the full question and answer
Groundcover for Maryland to replace English ivy
September 21, 2009 - What is a suitable ground cover native replacement for english ivy? Native to Maryland.
view the full question and answer
Low maintenance, native plants for sloping drive near Philadelphia
October 20, 2004 - My cabin is located in the northwest suburbs of Philadelphia. I am looking for low maintenance plants that would look good on the sides of a driveway that slopes upward. This is a potential project fo...
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
