Native Plants
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Smarty Plants Question Topics
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
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| Groundcover to prevent erosion in Florida November 04, 2012 I live on a hill and put in a new side driveway and now I am seeing erosion along the driveway and can see the bottom of my concrete. Grass won't grow because its all shaded. What would be the best g... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Erosion control from Lakeland FL November 03, 2012 What native Ground cover is best for erosion control on slope of lake-front? Prefer not too invasive for this northern facing area behind a seawall and near large Oak tree. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Groundcover for Bonsall, CA October 17, 2012 I live in Bonsall, CA. (San Diego) I have 3 acres, flat and sloped that are graded dirt. (DG and sheep poop from previous owner). It is getting close to mud season and I'd like to plant winter cover... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Revegetating a hillside in western Washington state October 10, 2012 Removing several downed trees across my dock demolished the native plants growing on the hillside and the contractor pulled out their remains. The area faces east on an open freshwater bay. Close to... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need plants for a slope in KY. September 29, 2012 I have a slope in my back yard that is mostly a slate shelf, grass and Weeds will grow but not well, very spotty. I am wanting a ground cover that blooms. Would like to not have to mow. This is a ve... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Grasses for Erosion control in Iowa September 27, 2012 We have a sloping yard in the midwest that gets 2-4 hours of sun during the warm weather. When we have large rainfalls, the water just pours down the slope causing a lot of erosion to the surrounding ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Deer-resistant groundcovers for erosion control September 26, 2012 I need a ground cover (vine??) that will help me with erosion on a sloped front yard. It gets about 6-8 hours of sun and my main need is for something that the rats in our neighborhood will not destro... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Wildflowers for hill with erosion in San Carlos, CA September 22, 2012 What wildflowers would you suggest for our hills that have erosion, low ground cover in San Carlos, California? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Exposed Tree Roots in Austin September 04, 2012 I have a large ash tree with a lot of mud at the top of a sloping yard. I want to build a small retaining wall with the ground leveled above. This would entail covering exposed tree roots with 4-18 in... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need plants to replace cedars on a 40 degree slope in Boerne, TX. August 28, 2012 My backyard is a roughly 40 degree slope that is covered with cedars. The slope is basically all rock, what can I grow here to replace the cedar which drink too much water. I would still like the area... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Native plants both deer resistant and good for erosion from North Oaks MN August 23, 2012 We have several partially sunny areas on hills that are prone to both deer and erosion. Our goal is to reduce runoff in an effort to preserve the watershed that provides tap water to many citizens of ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Slope Erosion control for Fairview NC August 19, 2012 Please recommend plants to help with soil erosion on a slope. The soil is red clay and area gets full sun. The slope is approximately 12' x 12'. I live in Fairview, NC View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need suggestions for native grasses to stabilize hillside Kerrville, TX. August 18, 2012 We have a steep slope at the back of our property in "caleche" territory in Kerrville. It is about 80 feet wide by 40 feet and ends at a wash. It is outside of our fenced yard and we are in city lim... View Mr. Smarty Plants' 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 Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| 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 Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Low maintenance, shade tolerant groundcover for Pacific Northwest August 09, 2012 What's a good low maintenance, shade tolerant ground cover for the Pacific Northwest? It needs to have good erosion control, too. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plants to prevent erosion in IL August 02, 2012 We just got done building a house and have leveled all of the dirt piles. We do have a row of straw bales to help prevent the dirt from washing onto the neighbors property. It is the wrong time of ye... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| North Dakota Riverbank Stabilization July 17, 2012 Can you suggest plants to prevent and stabilize river bank erosion on Sheyenne River, ND? Must be tolerant to cold, varying level of salts and sulfates and water level (from drought to flooding) View Mr. Smarty Plants' 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 Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plantings for sides of retention pond in Willits CA July 02, 2012 I am looking for recommendations for ground cover for the outside of embankments which impound wastewater. This is to improve the aesthetics and deter weeds. The slopes are 1V:2H, so if we can avoid... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| 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 Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Plantings for a slope from New Carrollton MD June 27, 2012 My house (Maryland, near DC) sits at the bottom of a south facing slope. The soil is very heavy clay. The grade is about 1:20 for about 100 feet (with a steeper part at the top). Part of the hill is i... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need a pretty ground cover to control erosion in Rigdeway, SC. June 09, 2012 What is a fast, pretty ground cover blanket to control erosion on steep hill. gets full sun. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants for a pond edge in IN June 08, 2012 Hello, I live in Southern Indiana. I care very much about reinforcing native plants for my region & not planting anything invasive. I had a pond built last year & need some suggestions for native ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Need native plant to stabilize 45 degree slope in Houston, TX. June 06, 2012 Can you recommend a native TX plant to be used to stabilize a 45 degree slope in the Houston area? Durability, maintenance and appearance should be considered. Thank You. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
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