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
Groundcover for foot traffic in dry shade from Prineville OR
May 12, 2013 - I live in central Oregon. I have an area under a large elm tree that slopes on all sides and has lots of foot traffic and no sun. (my kids have a swing in the tree and play around it a lot.) It's a v...
view the full question and answer
Native plants for eroding hillside in Kansas
May 08, 2009 - We have a creek running thru our property and the hill running down to it is about 30 feet tall, in some places almost straight down, some sloping. Some is in shade, some full sun. We would like som...
view the full question and answer
Low growing erosion control plants for lakeside in Washington Township NJ
May 12, 2013 - I live on a small lake in Northern NJ and have installed beautiful Boulders along the water to help stop erosion. Now I want to add plants along the property but would like low growing, soil retentio...
view the full question and answer
Hillside Erosion in Pace FL
July 17, 2015 - I have a hillside that slopes down about 10 feet to a spring fed pond. The pond drains into Escambia Bay. We have 2 dams with culverts to control the flow of water. Last year during a torrential ra...
view the full question and answer
Groundcover to prevent erosion in Florida
November 04, 2012 - I live on a hill and put in a new side driveway and now I am seeing erosion along the driveway and can see the bottom of my concrete. Grass won't grow because its all shaded. What would be the best g...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |