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

rate this answer

Friday - June 26, 2009
From: Winston-Salem, NC
Region: Southeast
Topic: Erosion Control
Title: Plants to stop creek bank erosion in North Carolina
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Hi: I live in NC where most of the dirt is clay based. I have a small creek behind my house that is eroding. The creek overflows when there is a heavy rain and as a result, gradual erosion. My goal is to plant a row of trees/shrubs for erosion control and bank stabilization along with privacy as there are houses behind me that are on top of a hill. I plan to plant on the side of the creek away from my house. I also have a smaller area to plant on the house side of the creek. I have a fence and it helps but this side is slowing eroding too. I would like to figure out how to handle this side without planting anything that blocks the view of the creek. I need help with what to plant that will cover both topics and add some natural landscaping beauty, not weedy looking and help with ideas on the house side of the creek. Please help as if I continue to loose my bank, it will move into my backyard. Thank you in advance for any ideas.ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants found the following shrubs/small trees that do well in wet clay soil in North Carolina:Cephalanthus occidentalis (common buttonbush)
Crataegus viridis (green hawthorn)
Physocarpus opulifolius (common ninebark)
Ptelea trifoliata (common hoptree)
Salix humilis (prairie willow)
One of the best plants for preventing erosion is grass. Grasses have extensive fibrous root systems that hold the soil in place very well. Here are several attractive grasses and grass-like plants that you could put underneath the shrubs or even on the side of the creek nearest your house.
Andropogon glomeratus (bushy bluestem)
Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats)
Eleocharis montevidensis (sand spikerush)
Equisetum hyemale (scouringrush horsetail)
Rhynchospora colorata (starrush whitetop)
Finally, here is a fern and several flowering plants that should be nice for the side of the creek nearest your house:
Asclepias incarnata (swamp milkweed)
Crinum americanum (seven sisters)
Lobelia cardinalis (cardinalflower)
Lobelia siphilitica (great blue lobelia)
Osmunda cinnamomea (cinnamon fern)
More Erosion Control Questions
Plants to prevent erosion in IL
August 02, 2012 - We just got done building a house and have leveled all of the dirt piles. We do have a row of straw bales to help prevent the dirt from washing onto the neighbors property. It is the wrong time of ye...
view the full question and answer
Plants for vertical cliff in Pismo, CA
July 11, 2011 - Need help with erosion control on an 80' steep to vertical, top-soil, south facing cliff, Pismo CA (central coast) area. Terracing not an option. Prefer native, colorful plants that will give the bes...
view the full question and answer
Need to stabilize a south facing slope in Henderson, NC
April 30, 2010 - Hi, I have a south facing slope that is heavy clay with rock under it. It gets a lot of sun. I have planted a few bushes and some ground cover, but with all the snow and rain we had this past winter, ...
view the full question and answer
Long Island Barrier Beach Plants
April 22, 2013 - I live on the south shore of Long Island on a barrier beach and am landscaping my property as a result of Sandy damage. I am going with a sand base, and I am looking for suitable trees and shrubs for...
view the full question and answer
Erosion at edge of driveway in Abilene TX
August 26, 2011 - My lawn suffered a great loss of grass over the winter and the soil at the edge of the driveway is washing away with watering and the occasional rains that we have. I am trying to get the grass to gr...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |