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Wednesday - October 28, 2009
From: Jonestown, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Plants for seeping hillside and muddy bottom area
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
We live on the north side of Lake Travis. About half acre of our property is currently planted with natives. The other half consists of a huge limestone ledge, a steep slope with little soil that seeps water when we get enough rain, and a very flat bottom-slope area with more exposed limestone and soil in some parts. The bottom area is full of King Ranch bluestem, a cedar elm and 3 mesquite. Any suggestions for what to use on the slope that seeps or to put in the bottom area that stays muddy after rain? We don't irrigate. Thanks so much!ANSWER:
The amount of sunlight will be important for what will grow best in your two areas. Check the 'Growing Conditions' on the species pages to compare with your sites.
Here are some suggestions for the bottom area:
Andropogon glomeratus (bushy bluestem) sun
Equisetum hyemale (scouringrush horsetail) sun, part shade, shade
Helianthus maximiliani (Maximilian sunflower) sun
Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem) sun, part shade
Asclepias asperula (spider milkweed) sun
Muhlenbergia lindheimeri (Lindheimer's muhly) sun
Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats) part shade, shade
For the slope that seeps:
Adiantum capillus-veneris (common maidenhair) part shade, shade
Aquilegia canadensis (red columbine) part shade, shade
Melica nitens (threeflower melicgrass) part shade
Tradescantia gigantea (giant spiderwort) sun, part shade
Elymus canadensis (Canada wildrye) sun, part shade
Woodsia obtusa (bluntlobe cliff fern) sun, part shade, shade
Pellaea ovata (ovateleaf cliffbrake) sun
Bouteloua curtipendula (sideoats grama) sun, part shade
You can see more possibilities by choosing 'Hill Country Horticulture' under Just for Central Texas on Recommended Species page and then using the NARROW YOUR SEARCH option to limit your results to plants that grow in 'Moist' and/or 'Wet' soil.
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