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

Thursday - April 21, 2011
From: Ipava, IL
Region: Midwest
Topic: Erosion Control
Title: Plants for erosion control in IL
Answered by: Anne Bossart
QUESTION:
Steep 40ft slope in rural Illinois with Sandy soil. Recently several trees slid down this slope due to wet conditions. We need any inexpensive plants to hold the hillside in check before erosion creeps and causes cabin damage.ANSWER:
Your best bet are ornamental grasses. Their fibrous root systems make them drought tolerant (a necessity in the quick draining, sandy conditions you describe) and help them hold the soil. There are also a number of native prairie wildflowers that fit the bill and will help transfrm your slope from a liability to a native meadow planting that is not only pretty to look at, but provides wildlife habitat as well.
You can generate lists of native plants by visiting our Native Plant Database and doing a Combination Search. Select: Illinois/grasses(or herbaceous plants) and the light and soil conditions. I suspect that even though you had a slide due to wet conditions, once you have the slope stablilized the conditions will actually be dry due to rapid drainage from the steep slope and sandy soil.
You will ultimately be limited by what plants are available in the nurseries but here are some plants from those lists we think will work for you:
Grasses
Ammophila breviligulata (American beach grass)
Andropogon gerardii (Big bluestem)
Andropogon glomeratus (Bushy bluestem)
Calamagrostis canadensis (Bluejoint)
Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats)
Muhlenbergia capillaris (Gulf muhly)
Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass)
Schizachyrium scoparium (Little bluestem)
Perennials (wildflowers)
Aquilegia canadensis (Eastern red columbine) Centaurea americana (American basket-flower) Coreopsis lanceolata (Lanceleaf coreopsis) Echinacea purpurea (Eastern purple coneflower) Liatris aspera var. intermedia (Intermediate rough gayfeather) Monarda fistulosa (Wild bergamot) Oenothera fruticosa ssp. glauca (Narrowleaf evening-primrose) Rudbeckia hirta (Black-eyed susan) Solidago canadensis (Canada goldenrod)
More Erosion Control Questions
Erosion control after loss of large trees
July 19, 2007 - Our steep 40' river bank (NY near eastern shore of Lake Ontario - zone 4) has recently lost two 50' oaks, leaving enormous holes in the bank itself where they tore out. What should we do immediately...
view the full question and answer
Plants to control hillside erosion in Vermont
May 23, 2008 - Hi, I am trying to do an eagle project that involves putting vegetation onto a hill to prevent erosion. I live in Vermont. What kinds of plants would hold together a hillside and could be planted in ...
view the full question and answer
Plants to prevent riverbank erosion in VA
March 05, 2011 - Looking for a plant to prevent erosion on a riverbank on the Rappahannock River in Virginia. Prefer something low, bank is a bit steep for regular mowing but could be mowed infrequently. Riverbank h...
view the full question and answer
Plants for a bank too steep to mow
June 24, 2009 - Like the inquiry made in late June of 2008, mine involves a bank that is too steep to mow. However, ours is facing south. I am looking for a native grass, plant or groundcover. Any suggestions?
...
view the full question and answer
Plants to stop erosion in Arizona
January 17, 2009 - I'm looking for a plant to stop erosion; I have big wash outs that are starting to erode my yard so I guess I'm looking for deep rooting plants. I live south of Tucson, Arizona. If you can advise me...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |