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)
Wednesday - June 22, 2011
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Erosion Control
Title: Native grass for erosion control on Shoal Creek in Austin, TX
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
What is the best grass seed for erosion control in Austin, TX - Shoal Creek goes through my back yard and I need to seed some areas and it gets lots of sun.ANSWER:
You have lots of choices for grasses that grow in the sun. Here are some that are readily available to order from one of our associates, Native American Seed in Junction.
Tall grasses (more than 3 feet):
Andropogon gerardii (Big bluestem)
Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass)
Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass)
Medium grasses (1 to 3 feet):
Schizachyrium scoparium (Little bluestem)
Bouteloua curtipendula (Sideoats grama)
Aristida purpurea (Purple threeawn)
Andropogon glomeratus (Bushy bluestem) likes growing in damp soil in full sun. It should do especialy well on the margins of the creek.
Short grasses (less than 12 inches):
Bouteloua gracilis (Blue grama)
Bouteloua dactyloides (Buffalograss)
Hilaria belangeri (Curly mesquite grass)
All of the above will grow from seeds and, although earlier in the year would have been a better time to plant, you should be able to get them to sprout and grow now—providing, of course, that you give them plenty of water. Native American Seeds has an article, Planting Tips for Native Grasses, that has useful information for getting your grasses established. And although you aren't trying to establish a lawn, our articles, Native Lawns: Buffalograss and Native Lawns: Multi-species should be helpful, also. You don't say how steep the slope is that you are trying to stabilize, but if it is very steep you might want to consider using some sort of erosion control mat or blanket called rolled erosion control products (RECPs). They help stabilize the area until the grass can take over that function. You sow the seeds under the blanket and they grow up through it. Sowing the seeds under the blanket also keeps them from washing away in the rain or during the irrigation of the area. Many of them are made of biodegradable material that eventually decomposes. Many nurseries carry some form of these.
Here are photographs of the above grasses:
More Erosion Control Questions
Raingarden Plants for Brownsville, TX
March 14, 2014 - I'm a Landscape Architect in South Texas and I'm implementing raingardens and vegetated swales in my projects. What native plants could be used in these gardens/water runways. They would need to res...
view the full question and answer
Erosion control plants for steep slope in Austin, TX
April 09, 2007 - I'm interested in finding native plants, either perennials or grasses, that would help control erosion on a fairly steep slope. These plants would be in a park, and volunteers will be watering the pl...
view the full question and answer
Erosion control on 30-ft. berms in Manor, TX
February 06, 2009 - The Austin Rifle Club has recently re stacked its over 30ft high backstops. We know their will be erosion to these earthen berms.
We need some suggestions on what to plant.
Our club is a traini...
view the full question and answer
Plants for slope on Orcas Island, WA
July 21, 2011 - Hi! What a great site! Okay, I have a home on Orcas Island, WA. We live here from about June through September, but only visit once a month or so the other times of the year.
We are looking for somet...
view the full question and answer
Native plants for erosion control in sun in Canton PA
August 03, 2010 - We just cleared a bank and need native plants and shrubs to grow for erosion control. Much sun.
Thank you.
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |