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
Tuesday - May 05, 2009
From: Tully, NY
Region: Northeast
Topic: Shade Tolerant
Title: Groundcover to reduce erosion for shady area in New York
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
We live on a lake with gravelly and clay soils, lots of wind and little sun. I am looking for a native ground cover that will help reduce erosion over some of the steep slopes facing south (under shade trees)ANSWER:
Grasses are ideal for controlling erosion on steep slopes because they develop extensive fibrous root systems that hold the soil. Most grasses do best in sun or partial shade. Your lack of sun limits the choice for grasses and grass-like plants (sedges), but there are a few possibilities. I have also recommended some low growing shrubs and ferns that will tolerate clay soils. All of the plants have been recorded in, or adjacent to, Onondaga County, New York:GRASS/GRASS-LIKE:
Carex blanda (eastern woodland sedge)
Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania sedge)
Carex plantaginea (plantainleaf sedge)
Muhlenbergia schreberi (nimblewill)
SMALL SHRUBS:
Chimaphila maculata (striped prince's pine)
Rubus pubescens (dwarf red blackberry)
Vaccinium pallidum (Blue Ridge blueberry) and photos
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (kinnikinnick)Ceanothus americanus (New Jersey tea)
Epigaea repens (trailing arbutus)
Gaultheria hispidula (creeping snowberry) and photos
Gaultheria procumbens (eastern teaberry)
Hypericum prolificum (shrubby St. Johnswort)
Vaccinium oxycoccos (small cranberry)
PERENNIAL HERB:
Maianthemum racemosum ssp. racemosum (feathery false lily of the valley)
FERNS:
Pteridium aquilinum (western brackenfern)
Osmunda cinnamomea (cinnamon fern)
More Shade Tolerant Questions
How to stabilize a slope under Red Oaks?
March 19, 2013 - A portion our front "yard" (20x40 feet) is a limestone hillside shaded by 3 large spanish oaks. The small amount of grass holding onto the hillside is now gone from the drought, and the hill has er...
view the full question and answer
Deer resistant plants for area under grand fir (Abies grandis) in Idaho
July 08, 2010 - What can I plant on a slope under Grand Fir trees in North Idaho, zone 4 - anything deer resistant?
view the full question and answer
Evergreen shrub for Austin TX shade
October 24, 2015 - I live in Austin, TX. I'm looking for a 4 season shrub for a partially shaded area that gets about 3 hours of sun towards the evening. It's mostly partially shaded.
view the full question and answer
Stumps of fallen oaks in Hurricane Irene from Newton PA
September 03, 2011 - Two large red oaks fell in the woods in our yard in Newtown PA due to Hurricane Irene. The trees have been removed, but the stumps remain. Please can you recommend some fast-growing, attractive, nativ...
view the full question and answer
Native grasses for dry shade in North Central Texas
March 09, 2008 - I live in North Central Texas and have an area that is 80% shade and a dry soil condition. What native grasses would be suitable for this location?
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |