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Tuesday - September 23, 2008
From: Vista, CA
Region: California
Topic: Erosion Control
Title: Groundcover for erosion control
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I live in southern california. What is the best groundcover to plant on a slope to prevent erosion?ANSWER:
Grasses, with their dense fibrous root systems, are one of the best plants to use for erosion control. Here are a few suggested grasses for southern California:Achnatherum hymenoides (Indian ricegrass)
Festuca californica (California fescue)
Koeleria macrantha (prairie Junegrass)
Melica imperfecta (smallflower melicgrass)
Sporobolus airoides (alkali sacaton) and more information
Here are some low-growing shrubs that could be used as groundcovers. These could be used along with the grasses or instead of the grasses. Their height is generally 1 to 3 ft.
Symphoricarpos mollis (creeping snowberry) with more information. This is low-growing shrub that is generally less than 2 feet tall.
Encelia farinosa (brittlebush) with more photos and information
Eriogonum fasciculatum (Eastern Mojave buckwheat) with more information
Mahonia repens (creeping barberry) with more information
More Erosion Control Questions
Stream Bank Erosion Control for Bryan/College Station
August 16, 2012 - I live in the Bryan/College Station area and need a ground cover to abate erosion on the bank of an intermittent stream. The bank is shaded. Do you have any suggestions?
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Groundcover for erosion control in Missouri
July 23, 2008 - Can you suggest a ground cover to stop erosion on a slight slope in my backyard? I live in Missouri - the soil is very poor in this area and has lots of rock underneath the soil. The yard drains int...
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Slope Erosion control for Fairview NC
August 19, 2012 - Please recommend plants to help with soil erosion on a slope. The soil is red clay and area gets full sun. The slope is approximately 12' x 12'. I live in Fairview, NC
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