Soil erosion is a serious issue. Whether it is the wind whipping the topsoil off a farm or a water gully in a field, keeping the soil intact can be difficult. Not only does soil loss impact you, the soil can clog storm drains and water features such as streams and rivers.
Lack of erosion control caused the Dust Bowl, where fierce sandstorms of soil covered the country. Soil even covered houses with drifts. Millions of acres had to be abandoned. Farms drowned in dirt drifts. The USDA revised its recommendations for farmers, so this would not happen again.
Methods Of Erosion Control
Wind erosion is principally controlled by planting perennial plants and hedges as windbreaks on the edges of fields under cultivation. Planting cover crops to anchor the soil is important when the land is laying fallow. Usually, legumes are planted with the added benefit of adding nitrogen to the soil.
Water erosion is controlled by covering the drainage area with swells and berms to slow the water down. Plants that can tolerate up to 24 hours of submersion are planted in the settling areas of the water management system.
Both of these methods of erosion control rely on keeping the soil covered all year. However, erosion control is not just for farmers and ranchers. Erosion is a problem at construction sites or anywhere soil is left bare. Home gardeners have erosion problems due to leaving a garden site uncovered. They may fight erosion due to poor water control caused by construction on the slope above them or in a subdivision that has poorly planned drainage.
Picking Plants
Erosion control works best when 6-10 different species of grasses, forbs, legumes, and shrubby species are planted. Avoid monocultures. Each plant plays a part in slowing wind and water erosion. Plants with deep taproots act as anchors for plants with shallower roots. Dense root systems hold soil in by gripping it and slowing water down on the land to allow more of it to soak in. Legumes add nitrogen to the soil so other plants can grow. Shrubs and trees have deeper root systems that bring up water and nutrients from deep underground and share them with other plants. Each plant plays a part in a comprehensive erosion control program.
Why Native?
The history of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is full of cases where a non-native plant has been introduced into the United States by the USDA to fix a problem. The exotic plant then causes major problems by taking over an ecosystem and crowding out native species. Insects and other wildlife can’t eat exotic plants, so the plants escape cultivation and cover the landscape.
Native plants also require little to no supplimental water once established, are relatively free of pests or diseases, and need little supplemental fertilizer. They host native insects, birds, and animals to increase biodiversity in the area.
For an example of disasters caused by non-native species, look to the southern United States. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the USDA suggested planting kudzu on slopes to prevent erosion. Kudzu does that, but it also covers everything in its path. There are whole areas of the southern United States that have nothing but kudzu growing. I remember driving through Georgia and north Florida and seeing nothing but kudzu for miles and miles. Wildlife was gone because there was no food. Farmers and ranchers spend millions of dollars to eradicate this pest on their land. Native species rarely cause this kind of problem.
Examples Of Native Plants For Erosion Control
The exact mix of plants will vary depending on sunlight, soil moisture, and the slope of the land. We sell many plants that are excellent for erosion control. Here are some examples of good plants to use.
Virginia Bluebells
Virginia bluebells are a forest ground cover that grows best in full sun. They require moist soil and work well as erosion control along streams and rivers. Virginia bluebells will form dense colonies as they seed and will come back year after year. They also attract hummingbirds with their blue, tubular flowers.
Red Cardinal Flower
Red cardinal flower grows in the wild close to streams and creeks. It grows well in clay, making it valuable to people who have heavy soil most things won’t grow in. The plants can get up to six feet tall with bright red flowers but are usually 3-4 feet tall. Hummingbirds love the red flowers, which are tubular. As an added bonus, deer and rabbits do not usually eat red cardinal flowers.
Golden Seal
Golden seal is a good ground cover for moist, shady areas. It grows 6-20 inches tall and has green, maple-like leaves. The white flowers are followed by red berries. Golden seal roots are used medicinally, and the wild plants are scarce in some areas due to overharvesting.
Indian Pink
Indian pink is a woodland plant that grows up to 28 inches tall. The leaves are green. The flowers are red tubes with yellow tops. Indian pink needs partial shade. It is a good bog plant because it likes wet soil. Hummingbirds are the primary pollinator because other pollinators have trouble reaching the bottom of the flower.
Wild Strawberry
Wild strawberry plants make an ideal groundcover for the edge of woodlands and in open fields. It likes full sun but will tolerate part shade. The white flowers attract pollinators such as butterflies and bees. The tasty red berries are prized by wildlife and humans alike. Wild strawberries will form dense colonies spread by rhizomes. Birds and animals compete for the strawberries, so harvest promptly if you want any.
Evening Primrose
Evening primrose are a low ground cover with yellow or pink flowers. The flowers bloom in the evening and stay until about noon the following day. Bats and moths visit the flowers at night. Bees and other pollinators visit the flowers during the day. The plant grows to a bit over two feet tall and spreads about two feet. The yellow evening primrose has a delicate lemony scent. It grows in sun and will tolerate partial shade. It won’t bloom as well in partial shade.
Our Recommendations
The best native plants for erosion control vary by location. We at Tennessee Wholesale Nursery can recommend a group of native plants that will work best for your specific area of the country. Give our knowledgeable staff a call at 931.692.7325 to order native plants for erosion control.
