Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
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.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Friday - April 29, 2011
From: Charlotte, NC
Region: Southeast
Topic: Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Plants for creek bank in North Carolina
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I would like a list of plant options to plant on an almost vertical creek bank in some location in Charlotte, NC. The creek runs through a 300 acre basin, maybe 3 or 4' high banks and I have never seen the creek out of its banks. Many large trees line the creek and large roots have been undermined along the creek over time and eventually collapse onto the creek. I am looking for some plant material that could be planted on the slopes that would not take over the entire area over time. I am looking for something that is not wild looking as this creek runs through several parks for a large, upscale residential development.ANSWER:
If the slope is very steep (as you have indicated), you are probably going to need to create some mechanical means to hold any plants or seeds in place until the plants can become established. One possibility is to use some sort of erosion control blanket. The erosion-control fabric works by slowing runoff water and allowing sediments to fall out rather than be washed away. Seeds are sown under the erosion-control material and grow up through the matting when they germinate. You can insert plants into the soil by cutting through the matting. The roots of the plants that are growing through the erosion-control material anchor the soil to stop the erosion. If you use erosion-control blankets made of biodegrable material, they will eventually disappear leaving the plants to control the problem. Erosion control material is available at many nurseries. There is an excellent article, Biotechnical Streambank Protection: the use of plants to stablize streambanks, from the USDA National Agroforestry Center that suggests several other methods. Now to stabilize the area, we recommend grasses for controlling erosion because of their extensive fibrous root systems that serve to hold the soil in place. You can add other perennial herbaceous and woody plants along with the grasses.
Below are some recommended plants native to North Carolina and Mecklenberg County or an adjacent county. Since I don't know the amount of sunlight available or the type of soil for the area in question, you will need to check the GROWING CONDITIONS for each of these plants to be sure that they are compatible with your site.
GRASSES AND GRASS-LIKE:
The grasses and sedges listed below are attractive. Some of them will grow best in full sun, but others will grow in shade and part shade.
Andropogon virginicus (Broomsedge bluestem)
Andropogon glomeratus (Bushy bluestem)
Carex blanda (Eastern woodland sedge)
Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats)
Muhlenbergia capillaris (Gulf muhly)
Schizachyrium scoparium (Little bluestem)
Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass)
FERNS:
Ferns generally grow in moist shade and part shade. Some of the ones listed are evergreen.
Asplenium platyneuron (Ebony spleenwort) is evergreen.
Athyrium filix-femina ssp. asplenioides (Southern lady fern)
Dryopteris carthusiana (Shield fern) has sterile fronds that are evergreen.
Dryopteris cristata (Crested woodfern) has sterile fronds that are evergreen.
Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas fern) is evergreen.
Pteridium aquilinum (Western bracken fern)
HERBS:
Ageratina altissima var. altissima (White snakeroot)
Aquilegia canadensis (Eastern red columbine)
Asclepias tuberosa (Butterflyweed)
Conoclinium coelestinum (Blue mistflower)
SHRUBS:
Ceanothus americanus (New jersey tea)
Cephalanthus occidentalis (Common buttonbush)
Hypericum prolificum (Shrubby st. johnswort)
Malvaviscus arboreus (Turkscap)
Xanthorhiza simplicissima (Shrub yellowroot)
Here are photos from our Image Gallery of a few of the plants above:
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
Potential ecosystem benefits to Carex flaccosperma
December 06, 2014 - Hi, I am trying to find out if there are any ecosystem benefits associated with the plant Carex flaccosperma: Blue wood sedge?
view the full question and answer
Practicality of Cedar Elm and buffalo grass in clay soil in East Texas
July 31, 2007 - Dear Mr. Smarty Pants,
I live in Katy Texas on what used to be a rice field. The soil either has a lot of clay in it or in places is just solid clay. Will any kind of buffalo grass grow here? I'v...
view the full question and answer
Suggestions for Texas native plants for memorial
June 30, 2005 - A dear friend of ours has passed and we would like some ideas of a native Texas plant we could plant in memory of her. It will be grown in the hill region near Houston. Thank you.
view the full question and answer
Additional screening under yaupons in Georgetown TX
November 09, 2011 - We live on a corner and have a berm along the south side of our yard which blocks our backyard from the street. It was planted with uprights yaupons. With the drought, deer have eaten the bottom por...
view the full question and answer
Stabilizing a shale slope in Virginia
April 08, 2009 - I have family members who recently built a new home in Virginia. The site required extensive excavation resulting in a large 30 foot, nearly vertical, shale wall behind the house. They now want to r...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |