Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Wednesday - September 26, 2012

From: Round Rock, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Deer Resistant, Erosion Control, Groundcovers
Title: Deer-resistant groundcovers for erosion control
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I need a ground cover (vine??) that will help me with erosion on a sloped front yard. It gets about 6-8 hours of sun and my main need is for something that the rats in our neighborhood will not destroy. By rats in mean the hundreds of deer.. Thanks

ANSWER:

Here are some recommendations for a deer resistant groundcover that will help prevent erosion in Round Rock TX:

GRASSES AND SEDGES:

Bouteloua dactyloides (Buffalograss).  I recommend that you read our "How to Articles"—Native Lawns:  Buffalograss and Native Lawns: Habiturf™ – The Ecological Lawn.

Bouteloua rigidiseta (Texas grama)

Carex blanda (Eastern woodland sedge)

Carex texensis (Texas sedge)

VINES:

Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia creeper)

Ipomoea cordatotriloba var. cordatotriloba (Tievine)

PERENNIAL HERBS:

Phyla nodiflora (Texas frogfruit)

Glandularia bipinnatifida (Purple prairie verbena)

Melampodium leucanthum (Blackfoot daisy)

Oenothera speciosa (Pink evening primrose)

Salvia lyrata (Lyreleaf sage)

 

From the Image Gallery


Buffalograss
Bouteloua dactyloides

Texas grama
Bouteloua rigidiseta

Eastern woodland sedge
Carex blanda

Texas sedge
Carex texensis

Virginia creeper
Parthenocissus quinquefolia

Tievine
Ipomoea cordatotriloba var. cordatotriloba

Texas frogfruit
Phyla nodiflora

Prairie verbena
Glandularia bipinnatifida

Blackfoot daisy
Melampodium leucanthum

Pink evening primrose
Oenothera speciosa

Lyreleaf sage
Salvia lyrata

More Erosion Control Questions

Erosion Control Shrubs and Groundcovers for Steep NY Wooded Slope
November 28, 2015 - I need to cover a couple of very steep slopes in upstate New York that are partially wooded and near a brook. The slopes are about 130 feet back from the brook. Someone estimated that there is a coupl...
view the full question and answer

Plants for erosion control in arid region
September 29, 2008 - In semi arid south west (Phoenix), the drainage is managed by creating incised channels. Typically, the dirt channel can erode with even very low velocities of moving water. To reduce erosion therefor...
view the full question and answer

Retention ponds for states in southeast, from Greenville SC
July 14, 2012 - We provide maintenance for Stormwater detention ponds and are looking for native grasses to plant in the bottom and sides of typically dry detention basins. Prefer low growing grasses that spread to...
view the full question and answer

Erosion control from Lakeland FL
November 03, 2012 - What native Ground cover is best for erosion control on slope of lake-front? Prefer not too invasive for this northern facing area behind a seawall and near large Oak tree.
view the full question and answer

Restoring a slope in the Mississippi sandhill region
August 01, 2011 - We are building on 5 acres (leaving 60% as is, natural). Only building a small (900-1200 sq ft house) & clearing 1 acre of the valley for a pond. There is a steep slope (where we had to put field dra...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.