Juniper was widely used as a ground cover in the 70’s and 80s. Evergreen Groundcover Plants. Leaves shed by trees accumulate on the forest floor and intercept any raindrops that make it through the canopy. If you need to bring your soil’s fertility levels back up, erosion control blankets are a better choice. Steep banks with slopes greater than 3 to 1 (3 feet of width for every foot in height) are almost certain to erode and undercut over time if they are not stabilized. Flowering Groundcover Plants. Clear-cutting is … Consider terracing or retaining walls for steep slopes. Many suitable plants are hardy in USDA plant hardiness zone 5, where temperatures don't go below minus 20 degrees F. Liriope spicata (creeping lillyturf) is a grass-like green plant that spreads quickly by underground roots and holds the soil effectively. I require about 9,000 square feet and will then be planting beach grass and rosa rogusa plants in the area. Erosion Control Groundcovers. Make sure to use deep rooted shrubs and trees along with the more shallow rooted ground covers. Item #: ERNMX-104 Cost: $1.49/lb Categories: Erosion Control & Revegetation Description: Designed to achieve that quick, green color and fast erosion control with strong, fibrous roots. The method is effective only on gentle slopes: the P (or erosion control practices) factor will be 0.5 on slopes between 1 and 8%, 0.6 on 8 to 12% slopes, 0.8 on 17 to 20% slopes, and close to 1 on slopes steeper than 25% (Wischmeier and Smith 1978). The best way to control erosion in clay soil is to use plants to cover the area. Seeds and mulch wash away and planting holes erode before the plant gets established. Banks and slopes are often; Difficult to access ; Prone to erosion ; Prone to soil drying ; Often overrun with weeds; To help stabilise the soil and give speedy coverage, strong-growing climbers or ground-cover plants are required. So in this article I will mainly be looking at ways to keep the slopes and plant them with plants that will not only thrive on slopes but are low maintenance and provide a long term solution to erosion of the soil. Deep roots help to prevent erosion by stabilizing the soil. Plants for Steep Slopes . Plants for Steep Slope Erosion Control. Mix formulations are subject to change without notice depending on the availability of existing and new products. Select plants and combinations that are an extension of your landscape and gardens. Select plants for steep slope erosion control that are drought tolerant since the water will be draining off fairly quickly. The roots help to control erosion. Here is a list of seven great plants I use to tackle challenging slopes. The slopes load up with rain water to full saturation and then shed/slide off. 3) they are heavy. Ideally, I am looking for a natural coir fiber product that can be placed on a 1:1 slopes. In forests, the soil surface is usually protected by a layer of mulch from decaying vegetation as well as a variety of surface growing plants. Black Mondo grass produces basil leaves that are up to … The soil and water bioengineering approach is combined with bamboo traits and mechanical properties. The tree canopy intercepts raindrops, and that's a big head start on preventing erosion. Bamboos are being used as living plants as well as construction material in different soil bioengineering techniques in many countries. Swansons is pleased to offer a wide variety of plants known for quick and deep rooting, quick surface coverage, and/or suited for less-than-ideal conditions on banks and slopes. Erosion control can be a tough problem. Plants can help control slopes. Virtually all species and selections of ceanothus are recommended for erosion control. Thorn-free shrubs always make maintenance a little easier. Others have a fibrous root system which lacks a taproot. The following plants are recommended for erosion control. As promised, we’ll be providing you with a brief overview of the twelve plants that are superb for ground cover if you have slopes on your property. New York fern, Thelypteris noveboracensis. I avoid plants with excessive pest or disease problems and that stray too far from their original planting site. Perhaps the most challenging landscaping problem is that of what to plant on a steep slope. And erosion problems are increasing; not just because of climate-change extremes. The potential of bamboo in erosion control and slope stabilization has been proven worldwide. For example, firm plant placement in the ground helps slow water flow since the stems act as thick barriers. When plants are established, the roots help anchor the soil. Grows 1-2’. Select a variety below to get all the details, prices and see more photos. Keep in mind that using rocks as a solution for erosion control on slopes works best when your vegetation is already well-established and your soil nutrient levels are thriving. Let’s dive right in with our first plant: Creeping Myrtle (Vinca minor) Plants that have deep, extensive root systems can successfully grow on hillsides. Question: I am looking for natural erosion control for steep slopes. Click on a picture below to get all the details, sizes, and prices [157] ... Groundcover Plants For Embankments, Hillsides & Slopes. Erosion Control Steep Slopes Slope Stabilization with Erosion Control Mats. When choosing plants for your slope, erosion control and slope stabilization are primary concerns. For any slopes greater than 50% (1 foot vertical rise for every 2 feet horizontal run) install plants that do not require mowing. Autumn Gardening Stories; By: Rosie Lerner. Many different plants will perform beautifully on hillsides. Until this happens your slopes will be temporarily exposed to erosion. Native Plants for Steep Slopes and Erosion Control By gripping the soil with their more extensive roots, certain native plants can do a better job at erosion control than turf grass, especially in shade areas where grass grows poorly. Plants For Erosion Control Plants often bind soil together with their root systems, which means they’re able to serve as a protective layer that can help prevent soil erosion in several ways. Good erosion control and strengthens the soil up to 328% (see research). Plants for Erosion control & Slopes. Some plants produce a large central root called the taproot. You want the more shallow rooted ground covers to help cover the slope, but need deep rooted plants as well to help stabilize the slope. Heavy rain can spell disaster for soil on steep slopes, but careful plant management, ground cover plants, mulches and terracing help prevent it from being washed away. Best Plants For Erosion Control On Slopes. And no mowing is required! One of the best ways to control erosion with native plants on a steep slope is to plant it solidly with California lilac (Ceanothus.) Fast Growing Groundcover Plants. All are native, and most are good for moist, shaded conditions, which are often the conditions found in eroding yards. Native Plants for Shady Slopes Protecting a shady slope is different than protecting a sunny slope. Once you have solved any moisture retention and erosion problems, it is time to evaluate the site further for exposure and zone, and plan what plants grow on slopes. Lucia™ Dianella caerulea ‘DC101’ PBR Deep green foliage with mulberry flower buds in spring that then open into purple flowers that sit high above the foliage, followed by purple berries in summer. This selection should include plants with deep root systems to hold in the soil and add to its drought tolerance. Black Mondo Grass. Soil Type: The consistency of the soil also determines rate of erosion. Not only will the grass, fescue and leaves help to slow down raindrops as they fall, the roots of the plants will also help to hold the soil together, making it harder for water to wash it away. Plants for erosion control. DIYNetwork.com landscape experts share facts about how to choose and where to place groundcovers and plants used as lawn alternatives. You can plant any of the slope control methods above or you can use plants alone. Tree roots help prevent landslides on steep slopes and stream bank erosion but they don’t stop erosion on moderately sloping hillslopes. Best Erosion Control Ground Cover For Sunny Sites In Georgia. Selecting the right plants for the job, taking time to plant them properly, watering until they establish an extended root system and a little patience can produce a stunning sloped landscape. However, getting them established on a slope can be difficult. On aggressive slopes we recommend using an erosion fabric along with any of these grasses, especially on sandy soils. Bank Slope: The slope of the bank is the single most important factor that determines rate of erosion. Your contractor may recommend the use of a geotextile, which are man-made materials, laid on the earth and pinned into place. These will be great for erosion control and possibly some other benefits. Plants that leaf out early and hold their leaves until late fall, however, rise to the top of the heap. These plants are not appropriate to control erosion on a slope because 1) they are alien plants and not part of our natural plant community, 2) they have very shallow roots. I personally prefer slopes to a flat "green-lawn-man" type of garden. Plant Life columnist Valerie Easton talks with an expert on slope erosion. Your erosion control plants take time to become established and fill in both above and below ground. 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