Native Plants
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Friday - July 17, 2015
From: Pace, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Erosion Control, Grasses or Grass-like, Shrubs
Title: Hillside Erosion in Pace FL
Answered by: Larry Larson
QUESTION:
I have a hillside that slopes down about 10 feet to a spring fed pond. The pond drains into Escambia Bay. We have 2 dams with culverts to control the flow of water. Last year during a torrential rainstorm the bank eroded and the upper dam overflowed, depositing lots of dirt into the pond. I've had the pond scooped out and the dam repaired and dirt has been deposited onto the eroded bank. What can I plant in the hillside to prevent erosion, but not obstruct the view of the bay?ANSWER:
This Mr Smarty Plants likes to review the archives for suggestions before inventing any new ones. The following MSP question/answer pairs address similar topics and come from areas that are not too far from yours.
Groundcover to prevent erosion in Florida
Plants for 60 degree slope in Mobile, AL
Plants for banks of a retention pond in Alabama
Planting for steep slope in Alabama
Privacy screen for Pace Florida
In addition to advice and discussion in all of the above, several native plants were suggested that coul dwell be useable for your situation. Consider the following:
Grasses: Carex blanda (Eastern woodland sedge), Andropogon glomeratus (Bushy bluestem), Andropogon virginicus (Broomsedge bluestem), Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass), Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats),
Groundcovers/wildflowers Calyptocarpus vialis (Straggler daisy), Mitchella repens (Partridgeberry), Packera aurea (Golden groundsel), Packera obovata (Golden groundsel), Salvia lyrata (Lyreleaf sage),
Shrubs Lantana urticoides (Texas lantana), Hibiscus coccineus (Scarlet rosemallow), Itea virginica (Virginia sweetspire), Lindera benzoin (Northern spicebush),
Several taller shrubs and trees were suggested, in particular in the last discussion of a privacy screen, if you can accept ten foot plants, you may want to consider a few of those.
Our philosophy about determining plants for erosion control was well described in the first discussion. This is: “Native grasses are an excellent choice for controlling erosion because they develop extensive fibrous root systems that hold the soil in place. Seeds can be sown under an erosion control blanket or grass plugs can be planted through the blanket. After the grasses have begun to establish themselves and stabilize the area you can add other plants. On the pond edge you could consider adding some attractive aquatic or semi-aquatic plants to help prevent the erosion.” This is good advice for your situation also.
From the Image Gallery
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
Questions about Habiturf
April 01, 2012 - What does habiturf look like when it first emerges? Could you post some images? And how long will it take to begin to cover?
view the full question and answer
Plants for creek bank in North Carolina
April 29, 2011 - I would like a list of plant options to plant on an almost vertical creek bank in some location in Charlotte, NC. The creek runs through a 300 acre basin, maybe 3 or 4' high banks and I have never se...
view the full question and answer
When to seed a native grass lawn in a drought area?
December 15, 2011 - I want to plant a native grass lawn. It is raining now. Can I plant it in December? It might not be raining in the spring if the drought continues.
view the full question and answer
Advice on grasses under walnut trees
May 28, 2010 - Little advice on grasses: I am prepared to plant zoysia under two walnut trees. Forgot about juglone-is this a good idea?
view the full question and answer
Plants for steep bank in Pennsylvania
July 12, 2011 - What do I do with a very steep bank with hard clay soil to stop erosion and to look nice. Is there a ground cover that would help?
view the full question and answer
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