Native Plants
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Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
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Tuesday - February 03, 2009
From: Bowie, MD
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Erosion Control
Title: Native plants to prevent erosion in Maryland
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Please can you recommend native plants for a north-facing slope, under pine trees? I live in Maryland near the border between the Coastal Plain and Piedmont Plateau, where we have cold to mild Winters and hot, humid Summers, but also frequently have drought conditions. I want to put in native plants to hold this north slope and prevent erosion under the pine trees, but want plants that don't require me watering them once they're established. Attractive/interesting bloom is not essential.ANSWER:
The best plants for your condition are native grasses, especially since you specified that interesting blooms was not an issue. Grasses have fibrous roots, and grab and hold the soil. They do it for selfish reasons, of course, so they will have dirt to live in and perpetuate themselves but you get the advantages also. You are probably already aware that it is difficult to grow much under pine trees, because of their heavy shade and the blanket of needles beneath them. They also, over time, will cause more acidity in the soil. So, we'll check for acid and shade tolerance of the grasses we choose as examples. To find these grasses, we'll go to our Native Plant Database, go down to COMBINATION SEARCH, select Maryland on the drop-down menu, then select "grasses" under Habit and shade to part shade on Light Requirements, then click on "Submit combination search." We will then follow the plant link to each plant's page and check on the acidity or alkalinity of the soil preferred by each grass. You can do the same thing, adding in such specifications as Soil Moisture. We are going to leave the Duration blank, so the database will select both annual and perennial grasses.
These plants, either as plugs or seeds, are all commercially available. If you have difficulty locating them, go to our Native Plant Suppliers section, type your town and state into the "Enter Search Location" box and you will get a list of native plant nurseries, seed suppliers and landscape and environmental consultants in your general area.
GRASSES/GRASS-LIKE PLANTS FOR MARYLAND
Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem) - perennial, 4 to 8 ft. tall, moderately acid and saline tolerant
Andropogon virginicus (broomsedge bluestem) - perennial, 2 to 5 ft. tall
Bouteloua curtipendula (sideoats grama) - perennial, 2 to 3 ft. tall
Bouteloua hirsuta (hairy grama) - perennial, 10 to 18 inches tall
Carex blanda (eastern woodland sedge) - perennial, 1 to 3 ft. tall
Carex texensis (Texas sedge) - perennial, 10 to 12 inches tall
Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats) - perennial, 2 to 4 ft. tall
Elymus canadensis (Canada wildrye) - cool-season perennial, 2 to 4 ft. tall
Melica nitens (threeflower melicgrass) - perennial, 3 to 5 ft. tall
Muhlenbergia schreberi (nimblewill) - perennial, 1 to 3 ft. tall
Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem) - perennial, 1 to 3 ft. tall
Tripsacum dactyloides (eastern gamagrass) - perennial, 2 to 3 ft. tall
More Erosion Control Questions
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January 26, 2016 - I have a heavily shaded slope on the north, west, and south side of my home. Can you suggest some low growing annuals (flowering, or not) that would allow me to beautify my property.
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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...
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