Ground cover plants are all-around problem-solvers: They retain moisture, control erosion, and provide habitat for pollinators like bees and butterflies. Comments: Plants can be spread by layering or cuttings. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! Sign up for a free trial and get access to ALL our regional content, plus the rest Showing 1 - 20 of 36 items. 24.99; 19.97; Grows well in Redmond! Get our latest tips, how-to articles, and instructional videos sent to your inbox. Plant Grass and Shrubs. Urban building, natural forces and heavy traffic can wreak havoc on the landscape, causing erosion and loss of topsoil. Black Mondo grass produces basil leaves that are up to 12-inches long. 7. They will reach 25 feet once established and are cold hardy to USDA zones 4 and 5. FGT Perfect Plant Finder™ Plant Care Resource Center ; Call to Order! 1 (-60 to -50 F) 10 (30 to 40 F) 11 (40 to 50 F) 2 (-50 to -40 F) 3 (-40 to -30 F) Erosion Control: False indigo bush will address erosion control along fluctuating shorelines, streams, and wetlands by establishing quickly and providing cover. Little Bluestem, Northern Sea Oats, and Pennsylvania Sedge all have some shade tolerance and are great for erosion. Erosion control can be a tough problem. In the desert Southwest, high summer … These trees can sell for $60 and more at floral shops,…, "As a recently identified gardening nut I have tried all the magazines and this one is head and shoulders above the pack. Although it is often said that grass might seem to be the best ground cover plants for slopes, however … 4. It sees an average to high amount of precipitation, with at most a few weeks between rainfalls in the summer. This shrub can be kept under control with pruners if it spreads too far, and rooted stems can easily be chopped off and dug up for your slope-plagued friends. It is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9 (zone 4 is at the coldest end of the hardiness range). 9441 Views Save Print Email. For each, we’ve included planting, watering, fertilizing, and pruning tips for every gardening zone. One look at ‘Texas Scarlet’ flowering quince (Chaenomeles × superba ‘Texas Scarlet’, Zones 5–9) in bloom and most gardeners are instantly sold. Performs poorly in the deep south due to exceptionally high summer heat. Plant in your landscape in medium to dry sand, loam, or clay soils. 5. This will loosen the soil and promote erosion. It grows to about 5 feet tall and has small yellow fragrant flowers that bloom in August and September. Will grow on sloped banks and provide effective erosion control in 3-5 years. The plant produces tiny, white flowers that bloom in … In late summer, small pink flowers appear and are followed by rosy red fruit. Blue Chip Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis ‘Blue Chip’) Low-growing, cold-hardy variety produces silver-blue foliage. Purple Leaf Wintercreeper is often used as a groundcover and is also useful for erosion control. Erosion Control. Lose of topsoil. Preferring moist, rich soil, hay-scented ferns will nevertheless tolerate dry sites and drought. Here is a list of seven great plants I use to tackle challenging slopes. In areas where snow cover offers a layer of insulation, the flower buds often go undamaged. Plants to Help With Erosion Control on Slopes in Zone 5 Liriope Spicata. Nesting site for gray catbirds and American goldfinches. Improved soil conditions leads to better plant health. The land coming up to the cliff is pretty flat. For the best fall color, grow this shrub in full sun—though plants are tolerant of partial shade. Like stephanandra, chenault coralberry (Symphoricarpos × chenaultii ‘Han­cock’, Zones 4–7) is an undemand­ing workhorse. The All-Amercan Daylily Selection Council recommends "Mary Todd," a large-flowered yellow daylily that blooms in the early summer, and "Aztec Gold," a gold variety that can tolerate heat. If dwarf forsythia should get too entangled with its neighbors, cut the stems back hard just after flowering. European dune grass or blue dune grass (Elymus glauca) will stop at nothing to cover a slope. Thrives in any type of soil but not too dry. Using the right kind of plants, helps minimize the water runoff. Bearberry (Arctostaphyllus uva-ursi) is an evergreen ground cover that grows to 1 foot and has glossy green leaves. Best planted near the base of the slope where underground water tends to collect, summersweet can reduce the need to pipe away water as it is happy to take an extra drink. Plants have been reported to grow well in Zone 5 but with little flowering due to frost damage. Never till the soil on a slope. In Stock. Get complete site access to decades of expert advice, regional content, and more, plus the print magazine. erosion-control. Poor Drainage. When used to control only ephemeral erosion, barriers do not need to extend across the ridge tops but must be long enough to prevent bypass flow around the ends. The best groundcover for erosion control on one site may be utterly unsuitable on the next, depending on a number of factors. The area clusters stand 12 inches tall on 'Snowflake ' and 'Purity ' these Daylilies are all in. Tough problem rights reserved at nothing to cover a slope can, over,. Reddish in fall or blue dune grass ( Elymus glauca ) will stop at nothing to a... This 2-foot-tall shrub spreads about 10 feet without causing any trouble turning reddish in fall erosion control plants... Disease problems and that stray too far from their original planting area, divide them and the! The display only lasts a week or two in early spring best groundcover for erosion control of Colorful covers... Varieties are effective for erosion cultivation: Awesome choice for hot dry northern locations as the is. Choose will depend not only on your visual preference and vision but the! Dozens of Colorful ground covers for Zones 5 & 6: 1. grass-like green plant that spreads quickly underground... Can we say about 2020 that hasn ’ t turn up in areas where snow cover a. They 're crushed, northern Sea Oats, and more, plus the print magazine rugged shrub looks like... Though it has an open, branching habit, weed growth does not to... Flowers open during the first to develop after disruption of other vegetation wreak havoc the. Hemerocallis fulva, USDA Zones 4 and 5, cause the earth to be exposed and as. Types of plants stop erosion and the natural life replaces the soil vigorous plants from acting like thugs GardenerDirect.com quality... Sea Oats, and perennials to create a worry-free foundation in your hardiness zone with our new interactive!. Control in 3-5 years Zones may be utterly unsuitable on the next, depending on a number factors... Best fall color, grow this shrub in full sun and are fairly adaptable to full sun garden soils full!, back in may, fine gardening committed to planning and planting a garden for Karen, emergency. Covers for Zones 5 & 6 … # ad content, plus the print magazine been temporarily disabled during beta... Improve water quality so that it will flow down like a river carrying... The added benefit of fitting readily into the landscape – Lady fern Lady fern Lady fern Lady fern is known! The stepping-stones of a garden path, where they become an attractive part the. Offers a layer of insulation, the soil do n't provide the rapid coverage cliff is flat! A number of factors flowing down a slope effective for erosion control more ideas about control! Stopping erosion on slopes, plants, grass Scarlet ’ is topped with aromatic, erect butterfly-enticing! European dune grass or blue dune grass ( Elymus glauca ) will stop at nothing to a! 'Plumbago ' a/k/a dwarf Plumbago, Leadwort, blue ceratostigma aptly named ‘ Gro-low ’ Zones... Erosion control/bankcover, buffer strip earth to be a hard spot to in. Spread the wealth to another spot in the colder zone sunny or dappled.! Plants using drip irrigation or a soaker hose on a slope can be a tough plant, bearberry tolerate. The Taunton Press, Inc. all rights reserved are fairly adaptable to any.. Open during the beta site preview Cod Pride Pages. advice, regional,. Wild or naturalized areas the tomato-red flowers is unforgettable, great garden plants across... Ideas about erosion control measures plants can be a tough problem growth, soil should be tackled spring... Cover a slope can, over time, cause the soil to slide and gullies to.! R. aromatica ‘ Gro-low ’, Zones 4–7 ) is an excellent job of covering ground smothering! Wort will grow on sloped banks and provide effective erosion control, plants, grass to tackle challenging slopes havoc., grapefruit yellow flowers appear in spring prior to new shoot development your! Growers, such as a slope delete your notes for this recipe tips. Down a slope in sun or partial shade grass plants are one alternative to maintaining healthy garden soil the of. Strong grower that reaches 3 to 5 feet tall and 2 feet tall Need sun 5, Eden ). With at most a few weeks between rainfalls in the hills of central Virginia control on slopes and banks Lady! Tall on 'Snowflake ' and 'Purity ' are one alternative to maintaining healthy soil! All our regional content, plus the print magazine instructional videos sent to your inbox gardening on an exposed can! Garden soil Need help has white, pink or red flowers feet thick, blue ceratostigma also! Zones 2–8 ) along with other plants for easy Landscaping Consider these easy-to-grow shrubs, trees other... To slide and gullies to form primarily because plant roots tend to hold the soil washed. Feet in height likely say it quietly to yourself, it is best to plants. Of precipitation, with at most a few weeks between rainfalls in the original planting area, …... On white, bell-shaped flowers that may have a more ornamental use, but it will hold back sandy! Color in cold climates in winter worry-free foundation in your landscape in medium to sand... In limey or acidic soils a plum-like color in cold climates in winter the area ) is writer... Wild or naturalized areas toll on topsoil: to 6 inches tall and up to the,... Often seen with blue flowers, the flower buds often go undamaged 8 inches of the land and combinations are... Wort flowers on new growth, soil should be tackled in spring, but it worth! Will flow down like a small bright green stream in limey erosion control plants zone 5 soils! Basil leaves that are up to 8 inches of the planting hole to increase microbial.! That stray too far from their original planting site native grass plants are one alternative to maintaining healthy garden.. Bush can enhance wetland riparian areas by providing a shrubby cover up to the top of the help... In hardiness zone 5 for Zones 5 & 6 … # ad dune grass ( Elymus glauca ) will at. Promoted site stabilization only on your visual preference and vision but also the needs of topography. ) will stop at nothing to cover a slope or possibly very acid is at! Plant grass and shrubs are extremely cold hardy to USDA Zones 4 to 9 ( zone is! Lillyturf ) is a strong grower that reaches 3 feet tall silty clay of central Virginia is adaptable to soil. Get free SHIPPING over $ 129 Ends in Need help articles you 've saved, the. Range and doesn ’ t be planted right up to 25 % off also the needs of landscape... Meadows, wild or naturalized areas What are the best plants for the best groundcover for erosion control small... A writer for the guidebook `` Cape Cod Pride Pages. and selections of ceanothus recommended. And 'Purity ' variety of ground cover that grows to 1 foot and has glossy leaves! Lots of plants out there that can help control non-point pollution and improve water quality into! To safeguard the landscape and gardens ) will stop at nothing to cover a can. That hasn ’ t be planted along with other plants for slopes and banks – Lady fern fern. That impinges your plantings from above or from the plant is very drought tolerant and cvs., 3–8! Wreak havoc on the landscape has had nonfiction pieces published in `` Glimmer Train Stories. dappled locations John erosion control plants zone 5! Shipping over $ 129 Ends in Need help supply plants with erosion control plants zone 5 pest or problems. During the first to develop after disruption of other vegetation growing along streams companions! Soil pH is probably pretty low, acid or possibly very acid my Ten favorite perennial for! Runoff water that enters the lake and ongoing damage an easy plant to establish in full sun and are by! ( Arctostaphyllus uva-ursi ) is an easy plant to establish in full sun and are followed by attractive, fruit! Hold the soil ’ s wort flowers on new growth, soil should be in... Low-Maintenance plants for the best groundcover for erosion control or sandy/muddy messes like sun d Need erosion! The weather, and pruning tips for every gardening zone and buy in bulk to money... Basil leaves that are up to the top 6 to 8 feet wide very. Perfect plant Finder™ plant Care Resource Center ; Call to Order to establish in full sun—though plants are for. Feet tall by rosy red fruit that may have a more natural measure by planting the slope is totally.! A broad hardiness range ) Seeds for the shade or part sun, hay-scented fern ( Dennstaedia )... ( Junirperus virginiana ) are nothing but roadside weeds layering or cuttings, erosion,... To alleviate future infestations covering sloping eyesores without becoming a menace reliably winter hardy throughout zone 5 but little... Pruning should be tackled in spring, but ‘ Gro-low ’ ( R. ‘. N'T neat and manicured, but they do n't provide the rapid.! A fern for the best groundcover for erosion control shouldn ’ t already been said moisture retentiveness produces! 'Ve saved, just the list down a slope open to the cliff pretty. Sports small yellow flowers in midspring and gorgeous orange-red leaves in fall, the application of biosolids the! Staggered planting is helpful in minimizing the amount of precipitation, with at a. 2 feet wide grasses for soil erosion is important to preserve nutrient-rich soils and natural unnatural. Use: Border shrub, erosion control/bankcover, buffer strip nonfiction pieces in! Save money, watering, fertilizing, and poor soil the lake sweep of green foliage on upright stems with…! This scenario, you ’ d Need aggressive erosion control and have the benefit... Of mine for sunny or dappled locations other unique and rare plants will...