Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

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

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
8 ratings

Saturday - January 14, 2012

From: White Stone, VA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Plant Lists, Erosion Control
Title: Chesapeake Bay Erosion Control from White Stone VA
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Native Wetland Plants for Chesapeake Bay Erosion Control -- I have a wooded lot (pine and hardwoods)leading to 4-5 ft. wide flat shoreline edged with riprap. What native wetland plants survive salt water tides and slow erosion? I want to fill that 4-5 ft. wide area high with them.

ANSWER:

Lucky you, or maybe lucky us. There is already a list of 422 Plants of Chesapeake Bay on our Recommended Species page in our website.This list was provided to us by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Chesapeake Bay Field Office. Begin by following the link to the list and then use the Narrow Your Search feature to select the General Appearance (tree, herbaceous blooming plant, etc.), soil moisture and amount of sunlight. Click on Narrow Your Search at the bottom and you will get of list of that type of plant that is recommended for that kind of environment. When you have selected trees, for instance, you go back and do the same search for vines, or grasses. Follow each plant link to our webpage on that plant to learn about its characteristics, bloom colors and times, etc. and match that up to the features you have. Also, be sure and contact that Field Office, as they will surely have better information on salt water spray resistance. Just offhand, we are going to say we think native grasses would be your best bet for that situation, as they are outstanding with long fibrous roots for erosion control, so be sure to search on grasses. Here are some that looked good to us from the list:

Ammophila breviligulata (American beach grass)

Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats)

Schizachyrium scoparium (Little bluestem)

 

From the Image Gallery


American beachgrass
Ammophila breviligulata

Inland sea oats
Chasmanthium latifolium

Little bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium

More Plant Lists Questions

Fall Flower Planting in Abilene, TX
October 14, 2014 - Are there any flowers that can be planted in the fall in Abilene Texas?
view the full question and answer

Landscape planning in Plano TX
February 23, 2012 - I am devouring everything on your website and am so grateful that you put your knowledge and experience out there for all of us. Thank you!! I am trying to make a landscape plan for our Plano, TX b...
view the full question and answer

Native Ohio Shubs for Wildlife
July 20, 2015 - Hi, I'm looking to plant shrubs and bushes for in front of our home this week but would like to plant some that are good for wildlife including bees and birds. Do you have any suggestions for norther...
view the full question and answer

Ground cover for Connecticut sandy gravel bank
January 11, 2012 - What ground cover plant can I use on a sandy gravel bank behind my house?
view the full question and answer

Plants for pollinators in Brown County, Texas
July 23, 2013 - I am attempting to plant on our family property a wide range of native plants for the central Texas area (May, TX). The flowers, bushes and trees that rely on pollinators, in particular bees, in order...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.