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
Saturday - April 02, 2011
From: Newtown Square, PA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Water Gardens
Title: Plant to stabilize a stream bank in PA
Answered by: Anne Bossart
QUESTION:
Native plants to stabilize steep stream bank in semi shade to full shade. Southeastern PA. ThanksANSWER:
As you embark on this project you will find this publication from the USDA National Agroforestry Center, Biotechnical Streambank Protection: The use of plants to stabilize streambanks (Agroforestry Note #23, March 2002) a very valuable resource.
Grasses are ideal for the task as they have fibrous root systems which hold the soil well. Some will grow right up to the water's edge, others will have to be placed further up the slope. There are also some shrubs, especially willows and dogwoods that can grow in the water at the edge of the stream.
Here are some suggestions; follow the links to detailed information pages to see their exact water and light requirements.
Andropogon glomeratus (Bushy bluestem) grows well in wet areas and prefers full sun. Andropogon virginicus (Broomsedge bluestem) is recommended for erosion control and grows in part shade. Carex blanda (Eastern woodland sedge) grows in moist soils in sun, part shade or shade. Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats) prefers shade or part shade and moist soils. Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass) grows along streambanks in sun or part shade. Tripsacum dactyloides (Eastern gamagrass) likes part shade and grows in moist areas or along streambanks. Cephalanthus occidentalis (Common buttonbush) grows in moist areas and will grow in standing water in shade or part shade. Salix humilis (Prairie willow) grows in sun along streambanks. Salix nigra (Black willow) grows in sun, part shade and shade along streambanks.
Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis (Common elderberry) grows in part shade and is good for erosion control in moist areas. Alnus serrulata (Hazel alder) grows in sun, part shade and shade on stream banks and other wet areas. Spiraea alba (White meadowsweet) grows in sun, part shade and shade in swamps, wet meadows and shorelines. Cornus racemosa (Gray dogwood) grows in sun, part shade or shade in thickets, river bank woods; wet to dry, low, open areas Cornus sericea (Redosier dogwood) grows in part shade on river banks, lake shores in wooded or open, wet areas. Here are some photos from our Image gallery:
More Water Gardens Questions
Wetland Plants for Michigan
March 20, 2010 - I have an area on my wooded property with a wetland marsh area that often puddles with water along the perimeter in the spring. It is very shaded and wet but I wanted to camouflage the perimeter of t...
view the full question and answer
How to keep plants alive in a pot beside a patio waterfall.
May 13, 2013 - Mr. Smarty Plants,
I have a waterfall on my patio and I can't keep my plants alive in the flower pot next to waterfall. Is that beacuse of algae produced by waterfall? If so, can you please recomme...
view the full question and answer
Need water absorbing plants in Syracuse, NY
August 18, 2010 - I'm Looking for water absorbing plants and shrubs -not so much trees. My rain barrels and downspouts are still creating too much run off. I want to line a walkway and keep rainwater run-off from drai...
view the full question and answer
Source for Saltmarsh cordgrass from Houston
April 16, 2013 - I work for a consulting firm and we are looking to do more of our wetland creation/restoration. Do you know where one can purchased Spartina alterniflora?
view the full question and answer
Request to use images from Image Gallery
February 04, 2009 - The Nueces River Authority is publishing a riparian plant guide and we would like permission to use one or more of your plant photos. Can you direct me to a person or process for this. Thanks.
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. |
