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
Wednesday - June 01, 2011
From: New Cumberland, WV
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Plants for a slope in WV
Answered by: Anne Bossart
QUESTION:
I live in the northern panhandle of WV. We have a hill side in front of our home and are getting too old to cut it. What would be the best ground cover for it. We want something that looks good and will cut off weeds.It's not the best of soil, and is mostly full sun light. Thank you so much for your help !!!!ANSWER:
Well, grass is still your best bet, but not turf grass that needs to be cut. There are no rapidly spreading "ground covers" native to your area that will be dense enough to prevent weeds from growing. The ground covers people conventionally use for that task (like ivy and periwinkle) are non-native invasive plants which we discourage people fom using.
Native ornamental grasses have fibrous root systems; making them excellent plants for a hillside and adapted to the dry conditions that are usually found on a slope. It will take a while for them to establish, however, so you may have to pull weeds for a few years. They do look great, especially when backlight by the late summer sun.
Here are a few to consider:
Bouteloua curtipendula (Sideoats grama)
Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass)
Schizachyrium scoparium (Little bluestem)
Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass)
You could also mix in perennial wildflowers to brighten up the planting, and attract birds and butterflies such as:
Asclepias tuberosa (Butterflyweed)
Coreopsis lanceolata (Lanceleaf coreopsis)
Echinacea purpurea (Eastern purple coneflower)
Monarda fistulosa (Wild bergamot)
Rudbeckia hirta (Black-eyed susan)
Symphyotrichum laeve var. laeve (Smooth blue aster)
Here are some photos fom our Image Gallery:
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
When to seed a native grass lawn in a drought area?
December 15, 2011 - I want to plant a native grass lawn. It is raining now. Can I plant it in December? It might not be raining in the spring if the drought continues.
view the full question and answer
Replacing St. Augustine grass with native grasses in Georgetown TX
October 28, 2009 - I have a St Augustine yard around my house. I would like to introduce or replace this type of grass with some of the Buffalo, Blue Gamma and or Curly Mesquite. Can I plant some of the native seed in...
view the full question and answer
Privacy screen from Temecula CA
May 04, 2013 - I live in Temecula and need a fast growing tree by our pool that is good to block neighbors house.
view the full question and answer
Native plants to make houses for sale more attractive
November 03, 2006 - I could use your suggestions: I have 2 small houses in Dallas which I am trying to sell, and would like to beautify -- with plants.
Currently there are no shrubs or groundcover or trees -- nor anyo...
view the full question and answer
Stabilizing a shale slope in Virginia
April 08, 2009 - I have family members who recently built a new home in Virginia. The site required extensive excavation resulting in a large 30 foot, nearly vertical, shale wall behind the house. They now want to r...
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. |
