Native Plants
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Sunday - July 03, 2016
From: Baltimore, MD
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Erosion Control, Groundcovers, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Groundcover for Maryland Slope in Deer Country
Answered by: Anne Van Nest
QUESTION:
I have a 20-30% grade hill in Maryland. I am looking for a groundcover plant (for example ivy) that I can plant on the hill. I have the following issues: clay soil, deer, full sun, limited water source - rain water, need to prevent hill erosion, and a weed problem - hoping to choke them out with my groundcover plants.ANSWER:
Your challenges narrowed the list of possibilties significantly! First a look at the Native Plant Database for Maryland plants that grow in full sun and dry conditions (because of the slope) revealed a substantial list of possible groundcover plants that fall into the short shrub or vine category. Then the list was used to check the deer resistant species list and about half of the plants were removed. The end result is below. The vines will perhaps be a better groundcover plant than the shrubs to choke out your existing weeds. You may need to trial some plants in a small area to see which ones work the best for your situation. Good luck!
Some smaller native shrubs for full sun and dry conditions include ...
Symphoricarpos albus (common snowberry)
Rhus trilobata (fragrant sumac)
Gaylussacia baccata (black huckleberry)
Vines for use as possible groundcover plants ...
From the Image Gallery
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Economical, low maintenance plants for erosion control on a bank
May 29, 2006 - Please advise of all species suitable for preventing bank erosion, specifically those that will cover a southern exposure 400 foot long, 15 foot high bank in western North Carolina that grows rapidly ...
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Ground cover for a bank in PA
April 28, 2012 - I live in Landisburg, PA, (zone 6). I need to find some ground cover for a primarily full sun bank that is roughly 10-12' down over the embankment and up to 100' long. This area wraps around our po...
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Low maintenance, shade tolerant groundcover for Pacific Northwest
August 09, 2012 - What's a good low maintenance, shade tolerant ground cover for the Pacific Northwest? It needs to have good erosion control, too.
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Native plants for controlling erosion in Fairmont WV
August 30, 2010 - I'm interested in finding native plants, either perennials or grasses, that would help control erosion on a fairly steep slope. The area is partly shaded.
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Deer Resistance and Erosion Control for St. Louis County MO
January 03, 2014 - I am looking for deer and rabbit resistant native plants for erosion control on a steep ravine slope with part sun and part shade in St. Louis County MO.
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