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
Tuesday - January 17, 2012
From: Elysian, MN
Region: Midwest
Topic: Plant Lists, Erosion Control
Title: Plants for steep lakeside bank in Minnesota
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I am new to MN and would like to plant some pretty plants on my steep lakeside bank. What type plants and flowers should I plant to prevent erosion, but not block the lake view?ANSWER:
Grasses are very effective at controlling erosion because their extensive fibrous root systems help to hold the soil in place. Here are a few grasses native to your area that are attractive and not particularly tall:
Bouteloua hirsuta (Hairy grama) is 10 to 18 inches tall and grows in part shade.
Eragrostis spectabilis (Purple lovegrass) grows 8 to 18 inches tall.
Hordeum jubatum (Foxtail barley) grows 1 to 2 feet tall.
Koeleria macrantha (Prairie junegrass) is 1 to 2 feet tall.
Schizachyrium scoparium (Little bluestem) grows 18 to 24 inches.
A combination of grasses should work well to control the erosion and you can plant other colorful perennials or annuals interspersed with the grasses. Please visit our Minnesota Recommended page to find plants that are commercially available for landscaping in the state. You can use the NARROW YOUR SEARCH option to limit the HEIGHT (IN FEET) of the plants to 0-1 or 1-3. You can also designate the type of plant and light and moisture requirements. Here are a few suggestions from the list that you might consider:
Asarum canadense (Canadian wild ginger) grows in shade and part shade to 4 to 8 inches high.
Cornus canadensis (Bunchberry dogwood) grows in sun, part shade and shade to a height of 3 to 6 inches.
Dicentra cucullaria (Dutchman's breeches) grows in sun, part shade and shade to 10 inches.
Mitchella repens (Partridgeberry) grows in shade and part shade to only 2 inches high.
Fragaria virginiana (Virginia strawberry) grows in sun and part shade up to 6 inches.
Sanguinaria canadensis (Bloodroot) grows in shade and part shade to 10 inches.
Uvularia sessilifolia (Spreading bellwort) grows in sun, part shade and shade to 10-15 inches.
You might find our How to Article, Meadow Gardening, useful since with a mixture of grasses and flowers you are creating a meadow, albeit a sloping one.
From the Image Gallery
More Plant Lists Questions
Plants for flowerbed beside pool in Sacramento, CA
August 27, 2012 - 70 foot long 2 ft flower bed running along north side of pool. Gets morning and afternoon sun with late shade on west end and hot sun on east end as sun sets. Need something to help with shooting se...
view the full question and answer
Plants to stabilize sandy slope in Massachusetts
September 23, 2011 - Dear Mr. Smartypants,
I am working on a small public housing project in Chelmsford, MA, northwest of Boston. We have a steep, sunny and SANDY slope and I am stumped as to what to recommend that wi...
view the full question and answer
Salt tolerant plants for Long Beach
May 12, 2013 - When Hurricane Sandy hit Long Beach, it has killed all my plants and now almost all of Long Beach is left with dead dried brown vegetation. I want to replant front with bushes and flowers. What woul...
view the full question and answer
Plants for pond, for incline and area with poor soil
April 23, 2012 - I have three plant recommendation questions for Austin, TX.
1. I have a large pond that I would like to put native aquatic plants in. What are some hardy aquatic natives I could put in? The pond ...
view the full question and answer
Native Habitat Lists from Toronto ON
August 01, 2012 - Dear Mr. Smarty Pants. I see that you provide Native Habitat information on the plant detail sheets. Would I be able to find a full list of habitat types anywhere on this website?
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. |
