Native Plants
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Wednesday - July 23, 2008
From: Pleasant Hill, MO
Region: Midwest
Topic: Erosion Control
Title: Groundcover for erosion control in Missouri
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Can you suggest a ground cover to stop erosion on a slight slope in my backyard? I live in Missouri - the soil is very poor in this area and has lots of rock underneath the soil. The yard drains into a creek bed at the back of my property.ANSWER:
Grasses do an excellent job of erosion control because their extensive fibrous root system holds the soil very well. You don't say whether your backyard is shaded or not, but I will suggest several attractive grasses and indicate what their light requirements are.Grasses These all are 1-3 ft tall.
Bouteloua curtipendula (sideoats grama) sun, part shade, shade and moist or dry soil
Bouteloua gracilis (blue grama) sun and dry soil
Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem) sun, part shade and dry soil
Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats) part shade, shade and moist or dry soil
Sedges These look very much like grass, but tend to be shorter. They also have fibrous root systems that hold soil.
Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania sedge) sun, part shade, shade and dry to moist soils
Carex stipata (owlfruit sedge) sun and wet or moist soils
Ferns These are attractive for moist areas with shade. The Christmas fern will also grow in the sun.
Athyrium filix-femina (common ladyfern) part shade, shade and wet or moist soil
Osmunda cinnamomea (cinnamon fern) part shade and moist or wet soil
Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas fern) sun, part shade and moist or dry soil. This fern is evergreen.
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