Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
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.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Sunday - April 04, 2010
From: Boston, MA
Region: Northeast
Topic: Groundcovers
Title: Groundcovers for a slope in MA
Answered by: Anne Bossart
QUESTION:
We live in Eastern MA. We have a hill behind our house that was previously mulched. Slope is 45 degrees in direct sun, clay soil. We have another hill by the road side that is partially shaded with 60 degree slope and same type of soil. We are looking for types of groundcover that will grow well in these areas and prevent erosion. We have been told creeping junipers are one option. Any other ideas?ANSWER:
Yes, Juniperus horizontalis (creeping juniper) is one option (and it is a native plant), but don't you think there is already enough of it scratching gardeners and catching windlblown debris on this planet?
There are plenty of other choices and by choosing a variety of plant types (grasses, perennials and shrubs) you will be able to create a garden that is not only attractive to look at but provides habitat and increases ecosystem diversity. The fibrous root systems of grasses make them ideal slope plants and many have very attractive "flowers" that persist through the winter. There are quite a few suitable perennials and shrubs as well; you will want to select those that spread via underground runners.
Your plant choices will ultimately be limited by what you find in the nurseries but you can create a wish list by visiting our Native Plant database. By performaing a Combination Seach for Massachusetts on that page and selecting dry conditions (that is generally the case on a slope, even with clay soil) and sun to part shade, you can generate lists of grasses, perennials (herbs) and shrubs that will do the job for you. The lists are linked back to detailed information pages with images.
Here are some plants selected from those lists that should work for you.
Grasses
Panicum virgatum (switchgrass)
Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem)
Sporobolus heterolepis (prairie dropseed)
Perennials
Achillea millefolium (common yarrow)
Coreopsis lanceolata (lanceleaf tickseed)
Echinacea pallida (pale purple coneflower)
Monarda fistulosa (wild bergamot)
Oenothera fruticosa ssp. glauca (narrowleaf evening-primrose)
Shrubs
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (kinnikinnick)
Hypericum prolificum (shrubby St. Johnswort)
Rhus aromatica (fragrant sumac)
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus (coralberry)
More Groundcovers Questions
Ground cover for a slope in MD
August 04, 2011 - Looking for a groundcover to hold a shady slope undercut with tree roots in Maryland and to prevent further erosion.
view the full question and answer
Evergreen ground cover for PA
February 08, 2012 - I live outside of Harrisburg, PA. We are looking for a perennial ground cover that is long blooming and evergreen. It would be planted under some trees that would give them the whole range of sun (f...
view the full question and answer
Looking for cover
June 18, 2007 - I live iin Schaumburg, IL and have a difficult spot (extreme sun and heat in summer (South Side of house). I'm looking for a very short ground cover - < or + to 6 inchees. Does Arabis hirsuta fit t...
view the full question and answer
Source of dollarweed for shady lawn in Hillsboro TX
December 19, 2011 - I live in Hillsboro,Tx - Where can I get Dollar Weed for my shady lawn?
view the full question and answer
Replacing St. Augustine grass from Dallas TX
April 10, 2014 - Dear Mr. Pants, we are replacing dying St. Augustine grass in a small, sunny back yard with ground cover. What are your recommendations for a drought-tolerant evergreen ground cover? We will till a...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |