Native Plants
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Saturday - April 04, 2009
From: Albany, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Grasses for creek area near Abilene, Texas
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I have constructed several low water crossings on a live creek in the Abilene,Texas area and need to find out the best grass to plant to hold secure the soil and keep down erosion. The creek does runs once a year or so. The areas I am trying to plant are about 70% sunlight and it is possible for me to water the seed until established.ANSWER:
Below are some native grasses that all occur in or near Taylor County that should be be ideal for application to your low water crossings.Andropogon glomeratus (bushy bluestem)
Elymus canadensis (Canada wildrye)
Pascopyrum smithii (western wheatgrass)
Setaria leucopila (streambed bristlegrass) with more information
Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass)
Eleocharis montevidensis (sand spikerush) is not technically a grass (it is a rush), but it should be very good for areas that stay moist most of the year.
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
Native grass mix suitable for Houston
December 10, 2009 - Do you have a native grass mix that is appropriate to the Houston area- or will the one you have developed to this point work as well here as it does in Central Texas? If not, when will you begin to ...
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Buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides) for Ontario, Canada
June 17, 2009 - Is there a grower/distributor of Buffalo Grass in Canada? I want to seed it soon. Thanks
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Native flower bed with part sun
December 05, 2008 - I have recently put in three small flower beds and replaced the hard clay with decent dirt. The site is shaded in the AM but mostly sun in the PM. I would like to plant natives - what can you recommen...
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Erosion controlling Groundcover for Phenix AL
March 30, 2014 - Hi I am trying to find a grass or ground cover to control erosion on firing range berms which are 1:1 grade on a firing range outside of Phenix City AL. Sandy clay soil, direct sunlight almost all day...
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Retention of soil on bank in Pittsburgh, PA
June 15, 2008 - I have a steep bank in front of our house in Pittsburgh. We no longer want to mow this bank and wish to plant something that will spread and hold the soil. What do you recommend?
view the full question and answer
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