Native Plants
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Tuesday - April 10, 2012
From: Colchester, VT
Region: Northeast
Topic: Erosion Control, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Plants to stabilize a bank in VT
Answered by: Anne Bossart
QUESTION:
I am looking for suggestion on what plants might best be suited for aiding in the stabilization of a very steep bank above Lake Champlain.ANSWER:
Generally speaking, we recommend planting ornamental grasses to stabilize a steep bank. Their fibrous root systems really hold the soil in place and enable the plant to thrive in the "rapidly draining" (aka dry) soil conditions that are usually present on such a site.
These grasses are native to Vermont and would do the job quite nicely:
Ammophila breviligulata (American beach grass) (this plant can be very aggressive)
Calamagrostis canadensis (Bluejoint)
Hierochloe odorata (Sweetgrass)
Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass)
Schizachyrium scoparium (Little bluestem)
Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass)
If a mixed planting of grasses, shrubs and flowering perennial plants was more what you had in mind, you will want to select those that spread with runners or stolons.
You can visit our Native Plant database to learn more about which plants might be useful. By doing a Combination Search for Vermont and selecting the plant type (shrub or herb(aceous perennial)) and the light and soil conditions of your site, you will generate lists of plants native to your area that meet those conditions. Each plant name is linked to a detailed information page with images.
For instance, a search for shrubs using the assumption that your conditions are sunny and dry, generates a list of 39 shrubs. Plants from this list like Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Kinnikinnick), Rhus typhina (Staghorn sumac) and Rosa carolina (Carolina rose) are all good "spreaders".
Asclepias tuberosa (Butterflyweed), Monarda fistulosa (Wild bergamot) and Tradescantia virginiana (Virginia spiderwort) are just a few of the perennials from the list of 89 that will also hold the soil. You will find that the perennials that other gardeners are constantly digging up, dividing and sharing will be good "workhorses" for you!
From the Image Gallery
More Erosion Control Questions
North Dakota Riverbank Stabilization
July 17, 2012 - Can you suggest plants to prevent and stabilize river bank erosion on Sheyenne River, ND?
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Fast-growing ground cover for creekside
May 18, 2014 - Hi Mr. Smarty Plants.
I live in Austin Texas and am looking for an aggressively spreading ground cover or grass to plant along a small creek on the back of my property in order to help with soil er...
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Native plants for erosion control in South Dakota
December 04, 2008 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants: I live in the Black Hills of South Dakota at about 5000 feet ASL. My house is on a steep hill. I had to clear a perimeter around my house of all the pine trees for fire supp...
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Low growing erosion control plants for lakeside in Washington Township NJ
May 12, 2013 - I live on a small lake in Northern NJ and have installed beautiful Boulders along the water to help stop erosion. Now I want to add plants along the property but would like low growing, soil retentio...
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Plants for erosion control in Pittsburgh, PA
August 22, 2009 - I have a terraced high side lot(front of house). I currently have Yuccas growing, but they are too invasive. Can you suggest plants, shrubs, or ground covers that are not as invasive and will still ...
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