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
Not Yet Rated

Wednesday - August 14, 2013

From: South Pasadena, CA
Region: California
Topic: Water Gardens, Erosion Control
Title: Erosion control for edge of artificial lake in California
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

How about erosion control at the edge of an artificial lake in Southern California? Juncus and ..?

ANSWER:

The following plants grow in Los Angeles County in wet areas—along ponds and streams or in wet meadows or marshes.  To be certain they will grow on the edge of your pond, please read the GROWING CONDITIONS section on each of the species pages and compare to your site.

Andropogon glomeratus (Bushy bluestem)

Anemopsis californica (Yerba mansa)

Eleocharis montevidensis (Sand spikerush)

Equisetum arvense (Field horsetail)

Equisetum hyemale (Canuela)

Hydrocotyle umbellata (Manyflower marshpennywort)

Juncus effusus (Common rush)

Juncus torreyi (Torrey's rush)

Lycopus americanus (American water horehound)

Salix exigua (Coyote willow)

Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani (Softstem bulrush)

Typha latifolia (Broadleaf cattail)

 

From the Image Gallery


Bushy bluestem
Andropogon glomeratus

Yerba mansa
Anemopsis californica

Sand spikerush
Eleocharis montevidensis

Field horsetail
Equisetum arvense

Scouring-rush horsetail
Equisetum hyemale

Manyflower marsh-pennywort
Hydrocotyle umbellata

Common rush
Juncus effusus

Torrey's rush
Juncus torreyi

American water horehound
Lycopus americanus

Narrowleaf willow
Salix exigua

Softstem bulrush
Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani

Broadleaf cattail
Typha latifolia

More Erosion Control Questions

Stabilizing a sand bank in VT
August 13, 2011 - We have a summer cottage in Burlington, Vt. and need to stabilize a mound of sand. The "bank" we are trying to stabilize has partial sun and faces south. It measures approx 4' high and is 30' long...
view the full question and answer

Environmentally friendly native erosion control plants for arid hillside in Austin
July 15, 2006 - Hi, I'm moving into Agave, the new east side development in Austin. It's currently an arid hill with almost no trees and a steep (by gardening standards) hill. As a community, we'd love to...
view the full question and answer

Need erosion control in Granite Falls, NC
October 11, 2010 - In Granite Falls, NC we have a sloping area at the end of the driveway that needs plants that will keep the ground from eroding. What do you suggest?
view the full question and answer

Landscaping large area in Webster KY
February 10, 2012 - We just bought a house that we fell in love with. The land around it . . . well it has GREAT potential but is seriously lacking at the moment. Trying to get the farm up and running leaves very litt...
view the full question and answer

Liriope spicata for erosion and dust suppression from Bonifay FL
August 16, 2011 - I want to plant Liriope 'spicata'. I know it can be aggressive and that's what I want. We live on dirt road and need something by road for help in erosion and it's also hard to mow this are...
view the full question and answer

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