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
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

rate this answer

Saturday - September 13, 2008
From: Valdez, NM
Region: Southwest
Topic: Shrubs
Title: Planting shrubs on a rocky slope
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I need to plant a rocky slope, facing south and west, to cut down erosion. Other than creating terraces, are there tricks for securing individual shrubs or trees to a slope when planting? What plants to you recommend for zone 4 (near Taos Ski Valley) at 7,500 ft.? I'm assuming the native ones like chamisa, sage brush, Apache plume, but others, too? Thanks! HelgaANSWER:
Planting on a rocky slope is tricky. First, you are better off if you use shrubs that have meshed or intertwining roots rather than a tap root. This type of root system is going to hold on to the soil better on the slope than plants with tap roots. Mr. Smarty Plants found a forum, "Planting shrubs on a hillside", on GardenWeb with several useful suggestions. These include planting the shrubs in a plastic pot with the bottom removed. The pot on the upside of the slope won't be visible and the edge of the pot on the downside of the slope will hold the soil and the roots in place until the plant is established. You can then remove the visible plastic pot. Another suggestion was to use plastic edging on the downslope side of the planting and fill with soil. The plastic edging can be removed once the plant is established. Still a more natural setting could be accomplished by making a small rock wall on the downslope side and filling it with soil. It could be left in place or removed after the plant is established.The three plants you mentioned—Atriplex canescens (chamiso), Fallugia paradoxa (Apache plume) and the sagebrushes, Artemisia frigida (prairie sagewort), Artemisia ludoviciana (white sagebrush), Artemisia tridentata (big sagebrush)—are all good choices.
You might also consider using various grasses. Grasses are great plants for controlling erosion since they have extensive fibrous root systems. Here are a few suggestions for grasses:
Achnatherum hymenoides (Indian ricegrass)
Bouteloua curtipendula (sideoats grama)Bouteloua gracilis (blue grama)
Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem)
Sporobolus airoides (alkali sacaton)
Here are more small shrubs that would do well on your rocky slope:
Cercocarpus montanus (alderleaf mountain mahogany)
Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda (shrubby cinquefoil)
Ericameria nauseosa ssp. nauseosa var. nauseosa (rubber rabbitbrush)
Gutierrezia sarothrae (broom snakeweed)
Mahonia repens (creeping barberry)
Rhus trilobata (skunkbush sumac) and photos and more information
More Shrubs Questions
What gives the Creosote bush its characteristic smell?
August 09, 2011 - Good evening, Mr. Smarty Plants,
There is a question which I would please like to ask regarding a plant called "Creosote Bush" (Larrea tridentata)- does it actually smell like the creosote...
view the full question and answer
Cupressaceae dying in Suffolk Co.NY
October 20, 2012 - I have noticed that all of my Cupressaceae (& others I see in my area) are dying. They turn yellow, then rust & brown til they are everbrowns. what is going on?
view the full question and answer
Distinguishing American from Chinese beautyberry from Huntsville AL
August 03, 2012 - How can I tell American beautyberry from Chinese beautyberry when trying to purchase strictly native plants?
view the full question and answer
Need suggestions for privacy hedge in Northern NJ.
May 01, 2012 - Hi, I'm looking for advice on what plant would make an excellent privacy hedge in Northern NJ (Bergen County).
Ideally something low maintenance, about 5 feet tall, would act as a fence.
Thanks...
view the full question and answer
Problem with American Beautyberry in Houston.
July 02, 2014 - My American Beautyberry is dying one branch at a time. The entire plant looks great, now flowering and starting to put out berries. Then one or two branches will completely die. Trim those off, wi...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |