Native Plants
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Tuesday - June 23, 2009
From: Richmond, VA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Erosion Control, Groundcovers, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Plants for a steep bank in Virginia
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I have a small yard with a 3 foot steep bank that I want to plant on. I am looking for fast growing ground cover. There is some shade but not a lot and has a southern exposure. Ground is a bit rough and packed. Any suggestions? Thanks.ANSWER:
Here are some suggestions for your 3-foot steep bank:
Phlox subulata (moss phlox) grows in sun and part shade, is evergreen and spreads quickly.
Phlox nivalis (trailing phlox) would also be good.
Artemisia ludoviciana (white sagebrush) is semi-evergreen and grows in dry soils.
Cornus canadensis (bunchberry dogwood) requires moist soil.
Mitchella repens (partridgeberry) grows in part shade and shade.
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (kinnikinnick) grows slowly.
The following are grasses and a sedge. If you are having trouble with, or have had, erosion on your slope, grasses with their fibrous roots are very good at holding the soil:
Muhlenbergia schreberi (nimblewill) grows in part shade and shade.
Muhlenbergia cuspidata (plains muhly) grows in sun.
Carex texensis (Texas sedge) grows in sun and part shade.
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