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
Friday - June 26, 2009
From: Winston-Salem, NC
Region: Southeast
Topic: Erosion Control
Title: Plants to stop creek bank erosion in North Carolina
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Hi: I live in NC where most of the dirt is clay based. I have a small creek behind my house that is eroding. The creek overflows when there is a heavy rain and as a result, gradual erosion. My goal is to plant a row of trees/shrubs for erosion control and bank stabilization along with privacy as there are houses behind me that are on top of a hill. I plan to plant on the side of the creek away from my house. I also have a smaller area to plant on the house side of the creek. I have a fence and it helps but this side is slowing eroding too. I would like to figure out how to handle this side without planting anything that blocks the view of the creek. I need help with what to plant that will cover both topics and add some natural landscaping beauty, not weedy looking and help with ideas on the house side of the creek. Please help as if I continue to loose my bank, it will move into my backyard. Thank you in advance for any ideas.ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants found the following shrubs/small trees that do well in wet clay soil in North Carolina:Cephalanthus occidentalis (common buttonbush)
Crataegus viridis (green hawthorn)
Physocarpus opulifolius (common ninebark)
Ptelea trifoliata (common hoptree)
Salix humilis (prairie willow)
One of the best plants for preventing erosion is grass. Grasses have extensive fibrous root systems that hold the soil in place very well. Here are several attractive grasses and grass-like plants that you could put underneath the shrubs or even on the side of the creek nearest your house.
Andropogon glomeratus (bushy bluestem)
Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats)
Eleocharis montevidensis (sand spikerush)
Equisetum hyemale (scouringrush horsetail)
Rhynchospora colorata (starrush whitetop)
Finally, here is a fern and several flowering plants that should be nice for the side of the creek nearest your house:
Asclepias incarnata (swamp milkweed)
Crinum americanum (seven sisters)
Lobelia cardinalis (cardinalflower)
Lobelia siphilitica (great blue lobelia)
Osmunda cinnamomea (cinnamon fern)
More Erosion Control Questions
Stream Bank Erosion Control for Bryan/College Station
August 16, 2012 - I live in the Bryan/College Station area and need a ground cover to abate erosion on the bank of an intermittent stream. The bank is shaded. Do you have any suggestions?
view the full question and answer
Preventing erosion on a sloping lot
April 16, 2011 - I am trying to find a native plant to use on a sloped area in my back yard to help prevent the slope from eroding away (zone 7- N. Atlanta, GA). I want something evergreen, between 6 to 30 inches tal...
view the full question and answer
Plants to stabilize a steep bank in South Carolina
January 09, 2010 - I would like to use native plantings to stabilize a steep bank. The bank is on the side of the gravel road I cut back into the woods and around a 36" pipe going under the road to allow the free flow ...
view the full question and answer
Native grass for erosion control on Shoal Creek in Austin, TX
June 22, 2011 - What is the best grass seed for erosion control in Austin, TX - Shoal Creek goes through my back yard and I need to seed some areas and it gets lots of sun.
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. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
