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)
Thursday - June 06, 2013
From: Asheville, NC
Region: Southeast
Topic: Erosion Control, Groundcovers, Grasses or Grass-like, Herbs/Forbs, Shrubs
Title: Erosion Control for a NC Clay Slope
Answered by: Larry Larson
QUESTION:
Hi, We have a large slope on the road edge of our property that has been gradually eroding with spring rains (NC red clay). We would really like to plant something for erosion control but the bank is too steep for us to trim/maintain it much. We are a part of a community near the forest that values a natural aesthetic but we do have HOA guidelines that lead me to believe we would prefer a ground cover over a grass. It is a sunny north facing slope, 20' tall 100' wide with a pitch steep enough to require climbing on all fours. .ANSWER:
Mr Smarty Plants was thinking – “My, that sounds familiar” – and I went off and found a very similar question and answer that came through last fall. It was entitled “Slope Erosion control for Fairview NC” and had a very similar sounding situation to yours. I also found another one from your state, which is slightly different in that the bank was shaded : “Native plants for erosion control in North Carolina”.
In looking at your specific request, Mr Smarty Plants would like to push back just a little and remind you that the fibrous root systems with perhaps runners that grasses have are key to conquering erosion on steep slopes. What you can do is select grasses that are more amenable to the HOA aesthetic. Of those mentioned in the previous answer, two grow relatively low, Schizachyrium scoparium (Little bluestem) has a rather pleasing clumping nature and Carex texensis (Texas sedge) has a turflike aspect.
Wildflowers make a nice color addition, the recommended flowers were:
Coreopsis tinctoria (Plains coreopsis)
Baptisia australis (Blue wild indigo)
Conoclinium coelestinum (Blue mistflower)
Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal flower)
Monarda fistulosa (Wild bergamot)
On an area that large, you may want to consider some shrubs also. I used the North Carolina Recommended Species page to search a little further and narrowed the selection to shrubs that thrive in the sun and in clay. May I suggest :
Robinia hispida (Bristly locust), which is specifically recommended for erosion control, Morella cerifera (Wax myrtle), Physocarpus opulifolius (Atlantic ninebark), Rhus aromatica (Fragrant sumac), or Rhus glabra (Smooth sumac).
From the Image Gallery
More Groundcovers Questions
Groundcover for part shade in Albany NY
July 02, 2014 - Hello! I'm looking for: a native ground cover, mostly shade with only some morning sun, on a slope, edible is preferred but not necessity, mostly clay type soil for the Albany, NY area. Thanks for yo...
view the full question and answer
Ground cover for Connecticut sandy gravel bank
January 11, 2012 - What ground cover plant can I use on a sandy gravel bank behind my house?
view the full question and answer
Dense groundcover for full sun on the California coast.
November 08, 2011 - Can you recommend a very dense ground cover that serves as a lawn (in full sun on the coast, pref. drought resistant)?
Many thanks in advance.
view the full question and answer
Ground cover for under a maple tree in DE
December 22, 2010 - In my front yard in Newark, Delaware, I have a HUGE maple tree that shades the whole yard and most of its roots are visible and make the yard very "bumpy." Consequently, grass does not grow well the...
view the full question and answer
Natural groundcovers beneath live oaks in Austin
July 14, 2008 - We are moving to a home in NW Austin set in a forest of live oaks (15 of them). What plants are the natural groundcovers? We want to replace the 'grass' completely. There is no sun so we don't b...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |