Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Your gift keeps resources like this database thriving!

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?

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
Not Yet Rated

Tuesday - July 03, 2012

From: Carmel, NY
Region: Northeast
Topic: Plant Lists, Shrubs, Trees
Title: Trees & Shrubs for a NY Slope
Answered by: Larry Larson

QUESTION:

Our community has a large steep slope (100'high by at least 600' wide) that is sunny & dry. The builders planted "wild flower seeds" on the slope that is now just weeds. We would like to know what shrubs and trees can be planted intermittently on this slope to make it more attractive. The only moisture it will get is from Mother Nature.

ANSWER:

Hmmm….  “Wildflower Seeds”<=>“Just Weeds”  Especially when not blooming, those two bear a strong resemblance to each other!   Nevertheless, you asked about shrubs and trees to make the slope more attractive, and since Mother Nature will be their only moisture, natives are definitely the way to go! 

Mr Smarty Plants recommendations often come out of the recommended species lists.  This one is for New York.   At this point one could limit the search to “shrubs” then “trees”  successively, but I choose instead to simply choose  “full sun” combined with heights “6-12”, “12-36” and “36-72” feet high.  This still left me with 20 candidates for you. The list following are ones I consider some of the better choices, roughly sorted by height. You still need to consider colors and configuration for the best effect.

Rosa palustris (Swamp rose)     6-8 ft.
Amelanchier canadensis (Canadian serviceberry)  6-20 ft.
Asimina triloba (Pawpaw)          10-40 ft.
Prunus virginiana (Chokecherry) 20-30 ft.
Viburnum lentago (Nannyberry)   20-25 ft.
Ilex opaca (American holly)       25-60 ft.
Juniperus virginiana (Eastern red cedar)  30-40 ft.
Acer rubrum (Red maple)          40-60 ft.

As additional information that may help you choose plants to design your plantings, Mr Smarty Plants has had a few questions from your general area that might be useful to consider.  This question answer pair considers Trees for privacy, while this one discusses Deer Resistant Species.  Finally, for local information it is always a good idea to also consult with the local Extension Office.  This link is to the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County.

 

From the Image Gallery


Swamp rose
Rosa palustris

Swamp rose
Rosa palustris

Canadian serviceberry
Amelanchier canadensis

Pawpaw
Asimina triloba

Chokecherry
Prunus virginiana

Nannyberry
Viburnum lentago

American holly
Ilex opaca

Eastern red cedar
Juniperus virginiana

Red maple
Acer rubrum

More Plant Lists Questions

Landscaping a Fence with Native Plants for Central Texas
March 08, 2013 - I'm looking to landscape my fence that I've lined with woven bamboo. The area gets the hot afternoon sun in summer and is pretty shady in winter. The plants need to be drought and heat tolerant. I'...
view the full question and answer

Opinion of 5 best native garden plants in Oklahoma from Burneyville OK
September 07, 2013 - What would you say are the 3 to 5 BEST native garden plants for south central Oklahoma?
view the full question and answer

Plant to trail down concrete block retaining wall in Maryland
September 15, 2012 - Hello, Your website is an excellent resource. Thank you very much! My girlfriend recently bought a house that has a concrete block retaining wall in the front yard. We want to improve the app...
view the full question and answer

Salt tolerant plants for shade in wet Florida site
June 24, 2012 - We live in north Florida and have an area that nothing will grow there, it is about 12 ft. long and very wet due to neighbors sprinklers. It is shaded and gets brackish water. Only 400 yards from oc...
view the full question and answer

Plants that grow in Canada, US and Mexico from Norfolk NE
March 28, 2012 - Are there any plants that grows in Canada, US and Mexico?
view the full question and answer

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