Native Plants
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Sunday - April 04, 2010
From: Moon Twp, PA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Plants to hold a slope in Western PA
Answered by: Anne Bossart
QUESTION:
We have a hillside that keeps moving/sliding due to lack of vegetation. What kind of ground covering can we plant to help maintain and stabilize the hillside? If you need to know the climate here, we live in Western Pa.ANSWER:
You don't mention what the light exposure of your site is, if you are in a rurual or suburban setting and if you are looking for something manicured and restrained or if you would like something a little more wild.
Whenever you choose a native plant, you have the opportunity to restore some of the habitat you have taken by putting your house on the land and to increase biodiversity on your site.
In general, soils on a slope are quick draining so you will be looking for plants that are drought tolerant and have fibrous root systems (like grasses) or spread by underground runners. The plants you ultimately select will be dependant on what is available in the nurseries where you live, but you can create a wish list by visiting our Native Plant database. If you perform a Combination Search for Pennsylvania on that page selecting dry soil, your light conditions and then plant type (you can do separate searches for grasses, perennials and shrubs) it will generate plant lists for you. Each plant has a link back to a detailed information page with images.
Here are some plants selected from those lists that should work for you.
Grasses
Ammophila breviligulata (American beachgrass)
Bouteloua curtipendula (sideoats grama)
Panicum virgatum (switchgrass)
Perennials (Herbs)
Anaphalis margaritacea (western pearly everlasting) (this can be a vigoros spreader)
Monarda fistulosa (wild bergamot)
Oenothera fruticosa ssp. glauca (narrowleaf evening-primrose)
Tradescantia virginiana (Virginia spiderwort)
Shrubs
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (kinnikinnick)
Comptonia peregrina (sweet fern)
Mahonia repens (creeping barberry)
Rhus aromatica (fragrant sumac)
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus (coralberry)
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
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August 31, 2011 - I have some potential images of Muhlenbergia rigida / Purple Muhley, I would like to share. (at the suggestion of a fellow blogger). Let me know if that plant is needed - thanks!
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Native border plants to stop erosion
February 18, 2015 - I need native border plants to assist in stopping soil erosion due to water run off from rain and the Catawba River.
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Native grasses for Gilmer TX
March 01, 2009 - I would like to get some native grasses growing on our farm that are good for wildlife - barnyard grass - sedges - smartweed - have read and heard that all I need to do is disc and fertilize - yes/no ...
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Non-monoculture turf grass for Florida from Sarasota FL
April 28, 2012 - I am looking for a non-monoculture turf grass suitable for the Florida climate. Will Habiturf work, or perhaps you have some other suggestions? Please advise.
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Eliminating crabgrass in Middletown MO
September 28, 2009 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
I am having trouble with my lawn, specifically with the crabgrass in it. It now covers over 1/3 of it. I started using corn gluten meal this year, with limited tangible succ...
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