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
Wednesday - February 18, 2009
From: Bossier City, LA
Region: Southeast
Topic: Groundcovers
Title: Native grasses for groundcover in Bossier, LA
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
What kind of ground cover can I plant on a slope that gets full sun?ANSWER:
There are a number of sun-loving grasses that will do very well on the slope you describe. Grasses are the best ground cover for a slope because they have fibrous roots and will form a sod that holds the soil and keeps it from washing away in heavy rains or during irrigation. We are going to go to our Recommended Species, click on Louisiana on the map, NARROW YOUR SEARCH, and then specify "grasses" under Habit and "full sun" (more than 6 hours of sun a day) under Light Requirements and suggest some grasses from that list. You can do the same thing, making your own selections. At the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, we recommend only plants native not only to North America but to the area in which the plants are being grown. Because they are accustomed to the environment, the native plants will require less water, fertilizer and maintenance to flourish. Follow each plant link to the webpage on the individual plants to learn more about their care and culture. At the bottom of each webpage is a link to Google for more information on that specific plant.
GRASSES FOR FULL SUN IN LOUISIANA
Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem)
Bouteloua curtipendula (sideoats grama)
Muhlenbergia reverchonii (seep muhly)
Panicum virgatum (switchgrass)
More Groundcovers Questions
Horseherb for ground cover in Dallas
September 19, 2009 - When considering horseherb as a ground cover for a large area; are there disadvantages to sowing seed versus planting established plants? If not, what time of year is best to sow horseherb?
view the full question and answer
Low maintenance plants for crack in concrete
July 01, 2008 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
I would like to grow some very low maintenance weeds, mosses and flowers out of a crack in a slab of concrete. Can you recommend any species that would do well in this sort...
view the full question and answer
Groundcover for under oak in Plano, Texas
May 15, 2009 - I live in Plano Texas USA. I have a huge live oak tree in my front yard and a large Cape Myrtle as well under these trees no grass will grow so we have dirt or mud when it rains. Fact is the front y...
view the full question and answer
Groundcover for foot traffic in dry shade from Prineville OR
May 12, 2013 - I live in central Oregon. I have an area under a large elm tree that slopes on all sides and has lots of foot traffic and no sun. (my kids have a swing in the tree and play around it a lot.) It's a v...
view the full question and answer
Native plants for memorial garden in Michigan
March 04, 2008 - I want to start a memorial garden for my daughter. I live in northern Michigan and the area has very tall white pines we have pruned them up about 15' so the area does get partial sun. Which plants w...
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. |
