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
Sunday - July 10, 2011
From: Durand, WI
Region: Midwest
Topic: Grasses or Grass-like, Shrubs
Title: Plant to stabilize river bank in Wisconsin
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
We live along the Chippewa River in Pepin County WI and are looking for a blooming plant to help "hold" our river bank and also look attractive..it must be strong enough to take the spring flood.ANSWER:
Here are some small to medium-sized shrubs with attractive flowers and/or berries that should work well to hold your river bank. You will want to get them in and well-established before flood season so that their roots will have grown sufficiently to keep them in place. You might also consider some grasses along with the shrubs. The fibrous root systems of grass are excellent at holding onto soil.
Shrubs:
Cephalanthus occidentalis (Common buttonbush). Here are more photos and information.
Hypericum prolificum (Shrubby St. Johnswort). Here are more photos and information.
Physocarpus opulifolius (Atlantic ninebark). Here are more photos and information.
Spiraea alba (White meadowsweet). Here are more photos and information.
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus (Coralberry). Here are more photos and information.
Viburnum opulus var. americanum (American cranberry bush). Here are more photos and information.
Grasses:
Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass)
Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass)
Elymus canadensis (Canada wildrye or canada wild rye)
Pascopyrum smithii (Western wheatgrass)
You can do your own search for plants suitable for stabilizing your river bank by choosing Wisconsin from the map or pulldown menu on our Recommended Species page. This will give you a list of more than 170 native plants that are commercially available and recommended for landscaping in Wisconsin. When you reach the "Wisconsin Recommended" page you can NARROW YOUR SEARCH by making choices in several categories—General Appearance, Lifespan, Light Requirement, Soil Moisture, Bloom Time, Bloom Color and Height.
From the Image Gallery
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
Plants for steep slope in Pittsburgh PA
April 25, 2013 - I have a similar question to one from SC. I live in Pittsburgh, PA. We have a steep slope behind a newly built in pool. What type of plants can I put on the hillside to hold the soil. It gets a ...
view the full question and answer
Protecting plants from birds near bird feeder
April 24, 2009 - I am happy to have several cardinal pairs living in my yard, but I need to discourage them from eating & destroying my purple heart planted under the huge cedar that holds my bird feeders. The cardina...
view the full question and answer
Ground cover under live oaks
June 18, 2012 - I have some areas under Live Oak trees (maybe 200 sq. ft.)that remain bare, in spite of trying Habiturf. Soil is dry, poor and shallow. Can you suggest a living ground cover that would not require m...
view the full question and answer
Can Carolina wild petunia be planted over septic tank in Nokomis FL
July 10, 2011 - Could you tell me the root depth of the Ruellia caroliniensis/ Carolina wild petunia? Trying to determine if I can plant it over septic tank.
view the full question and answer
Herbicide use in bluebonnet field in Blanco, TX
April 10, 2012 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I have the best of both worlds and the worst of both worlds. I’ve been throwing bluebonnet seeds for 6 years on our property near Blanco, and when it rains, as it has this year...
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. |
