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
Friday - May 07, 2010
From: Ponder, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Erosion Control
Title: Plants to stem bank erosion in Ponder, Texas
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
We have a pond with a bridge over the middle in full sun with a steep bank on one side. The bank is difficult to maintain and we need some natural looking low maintenance plants or ground cover to plant in that area. Any advice?ANSWER:
You can visit the Texas—North Central Recommended page to find a list of plants native to the area that are commercially available for landscaping. Grasses with their extensive fibrous root systems are especially effective in preventing erosion. Here are few listed on that page that do well in full sun in a streambank location:
Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem)
Muhlenbergia lindheimeri (Lindheimer's muhly)
Muhlenbergia reverchonii (seep muhly)
Poa arachnifera (Texas bluegrass)
Tripsacum dactyloides (eastern gamagrass)
Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass)
Here are some other plants that frequent streamsides:
Cephalanthus occidentalis (common buttonbush)
Conoclinium coelestinum (blue mistflower)
Hibiscus laevis (halberdleaf rosemallow)
Lobelia cardinalis (cardinalflower)
Here are photos from our Image Gallery:
More Erosion Control Questions
Plants for vertical cliff in Pismo, CA
July 11, 2011 - Need help with erosion control on an 80' steep to vertical, top-soil, south facing cliff, Pismo CA (central coast) area. Terracing not an option. Prefer native, colorful plants that will give the bes...
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
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
Plants for steep slope in Virginia
October 24, 2008 - Please help! Looking for landscaping ideas for a very large Steep hill. Features: slope is approximately 45-60 degrees, clay soil mixed with fill dirt, lots of deer, partial sun, seeking minimal maint...
view the full question and answer
Erosion control plants for Burleson TX
August 28, 2010 - I live just outside of Fort Worth and I have an area of my yard that is steeply sloped. I would like some type of plant or grass that can be used to control erosion and not need to be cut too often, i...
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. |
