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 - February 07, 2014
From: Lorton, VA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Erosion Control, Groundcovers, Grasses or Grass-like, Trees
Title: Erosion Solution for Lorton, VA
Answered by: Larry Larson
QUESTION:
We have a steep slope in our common area of our homeowners association. Trees that were planted have died. It is a large area around a pond. What should we plant that will hold the soil? The soil has a lot of clay. Should we also put some topsoil on top? Some members want to install a drip sprinkler system, but others think this will add to the erosion.ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants has a solution to all of this controversy with the use of native plants to landscape this area. One of the finer properties of native plants is that they have developed in their environment to not need any irrigation or exceptional care. To combat the erosion, we suggest grasses or shrubs that have extended root systems, those will help hold the soil in place and reduce erosion.
Here is a selection of previous Mr. Smarty Plants Questions and Answers which address questions similar to yours:
Stabilizing a lakeside slope from Bracey, VA
Riverbank retention in VA
Native Groundcovers for Spartanburg, SC
Erosion Control for a NC Clay Slope
These all have similar enough lists of grasses and sedges that I think you can find a reasonable set of erosion resistant plants from these. You also mentioned that all the trees that were planted died. This link is to the Recommended Species list for Virginia. If you use the “Narrow the list” capability on the right hand side – you will find nine shrubs that will thrive in full sun and 33 different trees. All of these will be well adapted, but will need a little bit of support in the first years as they get established. The Wildflower Center also has some advice for planting trees and getting them established, this can be found in the “How-to Articles" and the “Step by Step Guides”. By the way, there should be no need for irrigation once they get going!
Here’s a few pictures of plants that are on these lists I supplied – I think you can find some likely candidates amongst them!
From the Image Gallery
More Groundcovers Questions
Santa Fe orchard groundcovers
September 05, 2008 - Howdy
We were wondering what kind of ground cover you would suggest to use in a sunny area that has a few new apple trees [7' high]. The area is about 80' x 100 '. The soil is clay & was used to ...
view the full question and answer
Ground cover for damp areas
January 11, 2009 - I am looking for a cover ground plants that tolerate damp areas. Any suggestions?
view the full question and answer
Native groundcover for central California
September 02, 2009 - In Modesto, CA. Hot summers, cold winters. Need a low ground cover for area next to driveway approx. 5ft X 14ft. that stays green all year round. I did have grass there but neigbors lawn is loaded wit...
view the full question and answer
Native plants and grasses for river bank from Rosanky TX
February 19, 2014 - Our property owners association would like to know what native plants/grasses to plant on the Blanco River bank in our river park to help prevent erosion. Some banks are steep and some areas are a gra...
view the full question and answer
Shade Tolerant Grasses and Groundcovers for Waco TX
March 15, 2013 - What is the best shade-tolerant grass?
What is the best shade-tolerant ground cover?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |