Native Plants
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Tuesday - September 23, 2008
From: Vista, CA
Region: California
Topic: Erosion Control
Title: Groundcover for erosion control
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I live in southern california. What is the best groundcover to plant on a slope to prevent erosion?ANSWER:
Grasses, with their dense fibrous root systems, are one of the best plants to use for erosion control. Here are a few suggested grasses for southern California:Achnatherum hymenoides (Indian ricegrass)
Festuca californica (California fescue)
Koeleria macrantha (prairie Junegrass)
Melica imperfecta (smallflower melicgrass)
Sporobolus airoides (alkali sacaton) and more information
Here are some low-growing shrubs that could be used as groundcovers. These could be used along with the grasses or instead of the grasses. Their height is generally 1 to 3 ft.
Symphoricarpos mollis (creeping snowberry) with more information. This is low-growing shrub that is generally less than 2 feet tall.
Encelia farinosa (brittlebush) with more photos and information
Eriogonum fasciculatum (Eastern Mojave buckwheat) with more information
Mahonia repens (creeping barberry) with more information
More Erosion Control Questions
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January 20, 2009 - I NEED LIST OF PLANTS TO HELP PREVENT BANK EROSION. WE LIVE AT BOTTOM OF HILL THAT FURTHER SLOPES TO A POND. THE AREA IS SHADY AND WET FACING NORTHEAST. ANY RAIN CAUSES THE POND TO MUD UP. WE HAVE...
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I'm moving into Agave, the new east side development in Austin. It's currently an arid hill with almost no trees and a steep (by gardening standards) hill.
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Need plants to replace cedars on a 40 degree slope in Boerne, TX.
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