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Wednesday - May 07, 2014
From: Aliquippa , PA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Erosion Control, Shade Tolerant, Grasses or Grass-like, Herbs/Forbs, Shrubs
Title: Erosion Control for a Shaded Slope in Aliquippa PA
Answered by: Larry Larson
QUESTION:
What plants. shrubs or trees can I plant to retard soil erosion on a steep shaded hillside in PAANSWER:
Mr Smarty Plants has found a few similar requests for help with erosion control for a steep slope in Pennsylvania. As a general statement, we recommend clumping grasses and shrubs with extended root systems. You will see that as a trend in the following question/answer pairs:
Plants for steep slope in Pittsburgh PA
Deer resistant plants for Pittsburgh PA
Plants for steep bank in Pennsylvania
Deer-resistant plants for a steep hillside in Allison Park PA
Native plants for erosion control in sun in Canton PA
Reviewing the information in these, here are a few suggestions for suitable grasses and shrubs. I've also taken note of their sunlight requirements.
Grasses
Schizachyrium scoparium (Little bluestem) partial shade
Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass) partial or full shade
Andropogon gerardii (Big bluestem) partial shade
Carex texensis (Texas sedge) partial shade
Elymus canadensis (Canada wild rye) Partial shade
Seven others are mentioned in the referenced discussions.
SHRUBS/HERBS
Monarda fistulosa (Wild bergamot) partial shade
Phlox subulata (Creeping phlox) partial shade
Amelanchier stolonifera (Running serviceberry) sun, partial shade or shade
Rhus aromatica (Fragrant sumac) partial shade, shade
Phlox divaricata (Wild blue phlox) partial shade, shade
Six more are recommended as before. Take note of the methods and reasoning in those discussions.
From the Image Gallery
More Erosion Control Questions
Need a pretty ground cover to control erosion in Rigdeway, SC.
June 09, 2012 - What is a fast, pretty ground cover blanket to control erosion on steep hill. gets full sun.
view the full question and answer
Plants to control hillside erosion in Virginia.
November 21, 2007 - Good Morning, Mr Smarty Plants, I need your advice and guidance.
I live in a condo complex in Virginia and we have a hill/slope that is eroding. It also has two very nice tall trees that partially sh...
view the full question and answer
Plants for steep slope in Virginia
October 24, 2008 - Please help! Looking for landscaping ideas for a very large Steep hill. Features: slope is approximately 45-60 degrees, clay soil mixed with fill dirt, lots of deer, partial sun, seeking minimal maint...
view the full question and answer
Erosion control for a North Carolina creek side
February 29, 2012 - Hello Mr. Smarty Plants! I noticed a question on your website recommending NC native grasses and plants to help prevent erosion on a sloping backyard, including the use of an erosion blanket. The pl...
view the full question and answer
Plants for steep clay bank in Summerfield OH
April 07, 2012 - Hello, We have a steep 15-20 foot high bank behind our house here in southern Ohio. Probably 50 ft.long. What could we plant for beauty and erosion control. It is nasty clay soil with lots of shale an...
view the full question and answer
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