Native Plants
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Thursday - September 03, 2009
From: Port Tobacco, MD
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Erosion Control
Title: Plants for erosion control in southern Maryland
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Would you recommend a plant that would act as erosion control for woodlands in Southern Maryland? The soil has a high clay content with a mature hardwoods population.The current erosion is significant and I am hoping to plant something soon to reduce the damage.ANSWER:
Grasses are excellent plants to curb erosion because of their extensive fibrous root systems that hold the soil in place. Since you are talking about a woodland setting with mature hardwoods, you will need to consider plants that will tolerate shade or partial shade. Here are some possibilities:Bouteloua curtipendula (sideoats grama)
Andropogon virginicus (broomsedge bluestem)
Bouteloua hirsuta (hairy grama)
Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats)
Elymus canadensis (Canada wildrye)
Paspalum floridanum (Florida paspalum)
Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem)
Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass)
Along with the grasses you could add some groundcovers that do well in a partially shaded woodland setting. Here are some that are recommended for Maryland:
Pachysandra procumbens (Allegheny-spurge)
Chrysogonum virginianum (green and gold)
Gaultheria procumbens (eastern teaberry)
More Erosion Control Questions
Plants to stop creek bank erosion in North Carolina
June 26, 2009 - 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 g...
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Native border plants to stop erosion
February 18, 2015 - I need native border plants to assist in stopping soil erosion due to water run off from rain and the Catawba River.
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Restoring tornado-damaged property in Alexander City AL
January 29, 2012 - Dear Mr Smartypants,
We were struck by the outbreak of tornadoes last spring and our wonderful woods are now unsightly sloping pastures with erosion problems.. many stumps and coils of roots. We are...
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Erosion control blankets for controlling slope in North Carolina
April 11, 2007 - We live in NC (red clay dirt). We recently/in the process of installing a pool. They contractor has completely unearthed our entire yard - and part of our property is on a substantial hill. Is there...
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Plants to stop erosion on sandy slope in north central Texas
November 27, 2009 - We have severe erosion problems that lead to a deep ravine.
There are deer in the area and the soil is sandy on a slope. What would be the best long term solution to stop or control this erosion. Th...
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