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 - August 16, 2011
From: Bonifay, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Invasive Plants, Managing Roadsides, Non-Natives, Erosion Control
Title: Liriope spicata for erosion and dust suppression from Bonifay FL
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I want to plant Liriope 'spicata'. I know it can be aggressive and that's what I want. We live on dirt road and need something by road for help in erosion and it's also hard to mow this area. Also it will be in full sun mostly. But my ?? is will it blow from seed into my neighbors yard across the road. Need something FAST growing as long as it stays in our yard. Hope it just spreads by rhizomes?? Have thought about mondo grass as well. Thank you SO much for your help.ANSWER:
We can't help you much. Both Liriope 'spicata' and 'mondo grass' are basically the same plant, and both are non-native. They do spread by rhizomes and are "slowly aggressive," according to this Ohio State University Horticulture article on Liriope spicata (read the whole article). We extracted Culture information:
- partial sun to full shade
- performs best in moist, fertile soils in partial shade, but will tolerate very dry, poor, and thin soils in sunny or shady sites
- propagated primarily by division of the many adjoining crown segments
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is dedicated to the growth, propagation and protection of plants native not only to North America but to the area in which those plants grow natively; this plant is native to Asia. Please read our How-To Article on Using Native Plants.
More Erosion Control Questions
Ground cover that won't hide snakes from Asheville NC
June 29, 2012 - I have an unusual situation: several bare areas in an otherwise wooded area, which receive partial sun, and are not near water -- it rains here frequently, but the soil can become quite dry at times.
...
view the full question and answer
Erosion control for steep slope in West Virginia
October 05, 2008 - I live in Zone 6 (Eastern Panhandle of WV). I have a rocky, claylike steep slope (30-40% grade, about 50 feet wide and 20 feet long, it sits in the afternoon sun). So I need to plant erosion-control p...
view the full question and answer
Retention ponds for states in southeast, from Greenville SC
July 14, 2012 - We provide maintenance for Stormwater detention ponds and are looking for native grasses to plant in the bottom and sides of typically dry detention basins. Prefer low growing grasses that spread to...
view the full question and answer
Establishing wildflowers on a slope in Virginia
August 18, 2012 - From Roanoke Virginia. I have a steep bank rising from one side of my driveway to woods above. Different areas vary from full sun, to half day shade. It is possible to carefully walk/stand on it, we a...
view the full question and answer
Will not cutting grass make its roots stronger?
May 27, 2009 - I live on a lake that has a hill. There is some problem with erosion on the hillside. Our association wants us to not cut the grass to stop the erosion. How does not cutting the grass help the roots g...
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. |
