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 - April 02, 2009
From: Low Moor, VA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Erosion Control
Title: Plants to prevent bank erosion in Virginia
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I am looking for good native plant choices for a steep river bank. My driveway is at the top of this slope, so I will need to avoid any plants that would cause erosion. I would prefer low shrubs.ANSWER:
Plants are the ideal solution to stop erosion, not to cause it, and Mr. Smarty Plants has some suggestions. First of all, if your slope is really steep, you might want to consider using erosion-control blankets. The erosion-control fabric works by slowing the runoff water and allowing sediment to fall out rather than be washed away. Seeds are sown under the erosion-control material and grow up through the matting when they germinate. Underneath the matting the roots of the plants growing through the erosion-control material anchor the soil to stop the erosion. If you use erosion-control blankets made of biodegrable material, they will eventually disappear leaving the plants to control the problem.Grasses are excellent plants to use on a slope to stop the erosion because of their extensive fibrous root systems which hold the soil in place. The challenge is to find grasses and other plants that will grow well in your space. You can intersperse shrubs with the grass to make an attractive ground cover. Unfortunately, I don't know what the sunlight and moisture conditions of your slope are. I will, therefore, offer some plants that have very broad light and moisture requirements. If some special conditions exist, you can search for your own plants by going to our Native Plant Database and doing a COMBINATION SEARCH choosing 'Virginia' and the appropriate selections from the other categories.
Grasses and sedges:
Andropogon virginicus (broomsedge bluestem)
Carex blanda (eastern woodland sedge)
Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania sedge)
Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats)
Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem)
Low-growing shrubs:
Comptonia peregrina (sweet fern)
Ceanothus americanus (New Jersey tea)
Hypericum prolificum (shrubby St. Johnswort)
Artemisia ludoviciana (white sagebrush)
More Erosion Control Questions
Erosion control after loss of large trees
July 19, 2007 - Our steep 40' river bank (NY near eastern shore of Lake Ontario - zone 4) has recently lost two 50' oaks, leaving enormous holes in the bank itself where they tore out. What should we do immediately...
view the full question and answer
Native plants for controlling erosion in Fairmont WV
August 30, 2010 - I'm interested in finding native plants, either perennials or grasses, that would help control erosion on a fairly steep slope. The area is partly shaded.
view the full question and answer
Plants for erosion control along creek in South Carolina
October 26, 2010 - We have a creek that runs thru our property and it is eroding our rip rap. The creek runs head on into an embankment which is causing the worse issue. Is there anything we can plant to help stop the e...
view the full question and answer
Erosion control in Charleston WV
August 26, 2009 - I live in Charleston, WV and just purchased a home that has a hill side out back that has some erosion occurring. I was wondering what would be the best ground cover to plant in my area to control the...
view the full question and answer
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...
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. |
