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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Friday - September 18, 2009
From: Hattiesburg, MS
Region: Southeast
Topic: Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Need landscape suggestions for area exposed after last flood on Black Creek in Forrest County. MS
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
We live on the Black Creek in Mississippi. After the last flood, we now have a steep sandy slope which is unmowable, and incredibly weedy. We want to remove the unsightly weeds- kill if necessary, and plant some kind of native ground cover or short shrubs of some kind. It's full sun from early AM to evening. We're at a loss, and no area nursery seems to have a clue. What would you suggest. I'm talking about a 4-5 ft. wide strip that is at least 200 yards along the creek. It's really fine sand, but the weeds are awful. We cannot get them with any machine. ThanksANSWER:
This raises several questions for Mr. Smarty Plants: What was growing on this site before the flood (do you want it back)? Is erosion an issue? You are talking about 3,000 sq. ft. of area, and that can hold a lot of plants.I am going to give you a list of bunch grasses that can help stabilize the area. Their fibrous root systems can hold onto the soil particles and reduce erosion. I think your best bet is to have somone, a landscape architect for example, look at the situation to determine what action you should take.; sort of a "boots on the ground" approach. Another suggestion is to contact the Forrest County Office of the Mississippi State University Extension Service for advice with this problem.
Native grasses that can be helpful;
Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem)
Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem)
Panicum virgatum (switchgrass)
Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats)
Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass)
I
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
Native buffalograss in sandy loam
April 19, 2008 - I am in the Austin area and want to plant Native Texas Buffalo Grass in sandy loam from the Colorado River bed. Will this work?
view the full question and answer
Plants to slow water runoff in Austin
April 16, 2011 - What native plants (rocky northwest Austin) will block water runoff? It seems as if something deep-rooted and densely growing would help. Grass comes to mind, but the area gets at best 2 or 3 hours of...
view the full question and answer
When should I plant bermuda grass seeds?
February 10, 2010 - When should I plant bermuda grass seeds?
view the full question and answer
Need plants for steep slope in Knoxville, TN.
January 10, 2013 - I have several steep banks that have to be weed-eated each year every week. Do you know if there are any kinds of ground cover that would take over the weeds on these steep dangerous banks. I live in ...
view the full question and answer
Identification of native grasses little bluestem and switchgrass
August 09, 2007 - If you drive east of Austin on Hwy 71, there is a bluish looking grass that has become very noticeable since the heavy rains in July. The blades grow straight up and each plant is in clump form. Do ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |