Explore Plants
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.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
Thursday - August 07, 2008
From: Granville, TN
Region: Southeast
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources
Title: Plants for a steep lot in Tennessee
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I have built a home on a very steep lot (approx 1 1/2 acres)in Northern Central Tenn in Jackson County. The lot is too steep to mow and some of it is too steep to stand on comfortably. My question is to ask you what type vegetation, i.e. grasses, wildflowers, bulbs,etc to plant/sow to prevent erosion and that will NOT have to be mowed - very low maintenance is what I am looking for. Please give me your advice and where I can buy the products you recommend and when to plant - Thanks in advance for any help you can give me. I love lots of color also but will abide by your adviceANSWER:
You don't say what the site is like with regard to sun and moisture so I will have to be rather general and give you some choices that hopefully fit the site. Grasses are really the best plants for erosion control because they have extensive fibrous root systems that hold the soil in place. The following grasses are clumping grasses not turf grasses. They also are very attractive and ornamental. They can be spaced out, look attractive and still control erosion. They do get tall, but if they are spaced they shouldn't need mowing. They look attractive when green and even after they are mature and have browned. In the winter you can cut off the dead stalks and be ready for them to come out green again in the spring.Elymus canadensis (Canada wildrye) sun, part shade, shade and moist to dry soils
Muhlenbergia capillaris (hairawn muhly) sun and moist soils
Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem) sun, part shade and dry soils
Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats) part shade, shade and moist to dry soils
Sedges also are effective and the ones I've listed are very grass-like, but tend to be shorter than grasses and shouldn't require cutting.
Carex blanda (eastern woodland sedge) sun, part shade, shade and moist to dry soils
Carex cherokeensis (Cherokee sedge) part shade and wet to moist soils
Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania sedge) sun, part shade, shade and moist to dry soils
Carex texensis (Texas sedge) sun, part shade and moist to dry soils
You can add wildflowers to the mix and you can find a list of Tennessee Recommended Species to choose from that are suitable for landscaping and commercially available by visiting our Recommended Species page and choosing Tennessee from the map there.
You can find nurseries that specialize in native plants in your area in our National Suppliers Directory.
More Seed and Plant Sources Questions
Looking for a source for Atlantic pigeonwings (Clitoria mariana)
July 02, 2009 - I hope you can help me a little. I'm trying to find a way to get Clitoria mariana (Atlantic pigeonwings) in my garden, but can't find a seed source anywhere. Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks...
view the full question and answer
Commercial source of Malus x arnoldiana in Massachusetts
April 13, 2006 - Looking for a commercial source for Malus x arnoldiana, a Massachusetts native apple/crabapple. I work for a Massachusetts conservation land trust with an interest in wildlife habitat and mast and nat...
view the full question and answer
Source for safe glass mulch in Austin, TX.
August 13, 2010 - Do you know where one can buy locally in Austin the recycled glass mulch that is sold in clean condition, color separated?
view the full question and answer
Maryland native plant source
March 15, 2009 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, Great answer to the man from Severen, MD with list of Maryland natives. Did you know that some of these natives are propogated from seed collected in the wild by Chesapeake Nat...
view the full question and answer
ID for pines along Interstate 45
January 12, 2009 - Along the interstate (45) once you get up past Conroe and closer to Dallas, there are some type of pne tree that grows in the medians and on the sides. I love these trees but haven't been able to id...
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
