Native Plants
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.
rate this answer
Thursday - January 03, 2013
From: Granville, OH
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources, Soils, Erosion Control, Groundcovers, Shade Tolerant, Ferns, Grasses or Grass-like, Herbs/Forbs, Shrubs
Title: Native Plants for Shaded North Slope in Ohio
Answered by: Janice Kvale
QUESTION:
I have a shaded north hillside which needs erosion control plants. Mostly moss and very thin grass grows there now. Please help!ANSWER:
The usual solution for erosion are plants that develop a fibrous root system--often grasses and sedges. In this case, you already have some grass that is not thriving, which brings us to amending the soil. To do that start with a soil analysis. There are some excellent sites in Ohio to help you with this. Start with the Department of Natural Resources where there is more information than you probably knew was available. On that site is a link to soil testing through the County Extension system. The Licking County website indicates they will facilitate soil testing through Ohio State University Extension Office. Of course you could also choose to straightaway select some species, pop them in the ground and see if they thrive with the soil conditions that you have. Trial and error may take longer to achieve your goals however.
The evidence of moss suggests that the soil has low fertility, is compacted, has a low pH (means it is acid), and receives insufficient sunlight, which you already know. That moss grows on the north side appears to be common knowledge, but this website suggests there is much more at play than a north location or even acid soil.
Once you have the soil analyzed and amend the soil, then you may select what to plant there. On a slope? Perhaps you want something that you won't need to mow. What and how you plant depends on the size of the space you want to fill. Mr. Smarty Plants suggests using plants and seeds native to your area. Read here for reasons why this is to your advantage. Then read here for native plant suppliers close to you.
Now for suggestions of what you might consider planting, when you get to that stage in this project. Take a look at this previous Mr. Smarty Plants answer for neighborting Pennsylvania, which will give you other possible ideas. The following suggestions are a mix of shrubs, grass, sedge, fern, and herb. You may want to consider a variety of plants in the area for interest and stagger the sizes to fit the site. Look up the specifics for any of these plants on our website by clicking the hot linked names.
Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass) grows 3-8 feet tall and is a sod former, a good grass to help prevent erosion.
Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania sedge) is a turf-forming ground cover standing 6-12 inches high. It enriches soil.
Pteridium aquilinum (Western bracken fern) forms deep roots and grows aggressively. It likes poor, sterile, acid soils.
Lycopodium digitatum (Fan clubmoss) is an evergreen ground cover that likes acid soil. It is related to the mosses and looks like miniature pine at about 6 inches tall.
Coreopsis lanceolata (Lanceleaf coreopsis) adjusts to many types of soil including acid soils and provides a cheerful yellow blossom.
Ceanothus americanus (New jersey tea), a 3 foot shrub, is a nitrogen fixing plant that wants a less acid soil.
Diervilla lonicera (Northern bush honeysuckle) is also a 3 foot shrub that prefers acid soil. It suckers freely and has a lovely blossom.
Rhus aromatica (Fragrant sumac) stands 6-12 feet tall and produces bright red berries.
From the Image Gallery
More Shade Tolerant Questions
Selection of shade tree and distance from house
February 19, 2008 - I live in California in zone 8b. I have seen the lists of trees for my area. I am still not clear on what tree to select. I would like to plant a nice tall shady tree very close to my house, but I wan...
view the full question and answer
Plants to disguise plastic rainbarrels in dry shade
April 29, 2008 - What plants would you recommend to disguise blue plastic rainbarrels in dry shade?
view the full question and answer
Deer resistant plants for large pot in light shade in Austin
March 30, 2007 - For an Austin yard, please suggest a shrub or a mixture of plants for a 15 gallon clay pot. The area has dappled light and deer. I would prefer a deciduous plant if possible.
view the full question and answer
Grasses for yard in part shade and shade
January 11, 2009 - I have a shady yard with no grass whatsoever in San Marcos, TX. Since there are no roots to anchor the soil, the air (and the house) is full of dust. I want to plant a native grass that does well in f...
view the full question and answer
Edible plants in shade in Enville TN
June 15, 2009 - I have a flower bed against the back of my house with nothing in it. We moved into this house late last year and I was planning on planting some tomato plants there until I discovered it never gets an...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |