Native Plants for Controlling Erosion

Best Bets: Plants for Particular Uses

Using native plants in the home landscape can be an excellent method for controlling erosion The deep root systems of native grasses and the spreading lateral roots of sedges are particularly effective at holding the soil and keeping it from washing away. Wetland plant species are good choices for rain gardens and maintaining banks of ponds or streams. The extensive and dense root systems of trees are useful, especially on slopes, to secure and protect the soil.

Ferns | Grasses, Sedges & Rushes | Ground Covers | Perennials | Shrubs | Trees | Vines | How to Use the Fact Sheets

Ferns

Matteuccia struthiopteris (Ostrich Fern)

Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas Fern)

Grasses, Sedges & Rushes

Carex pensylvanica
(Pennsylvania Sedge)

Carex plantaginea
(Plantain-leaved Sedge)

Chasmanthium latifolium
(River or Wild Oats, Northern Sea Oats)

Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass)

Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem)

Sorghastrum nutans (Indian Grass)

Ground Covers

Asarum canadense (Common or Canadian Wild Ginger)

Chrysogonum virginianum (Green-and-Gold)

Eurybia divaricata (White Wood Aster)

Heuchera villosa (Hairy Alumroot)

Pachysandra procumbens (Allegheny Spurge)

Packera aurea (Golden or Heartleaf Ragwort)

Phlox subulata (Moss Phlox, Moss Pink)

Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Low’ (Fragrant Sumac)

Tiarella cordifolia ([Heart-leaved] Foamflower)

Perennials

Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed)

Eutrochium dubium (Three-nerved (Coastal Plain) Joe-pye-weed)

Hibiscus moscheutos (Swamp or Eastern Rose-mallow)

Iris virginica (Virginia or Southern Blue Flag)

Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower)

Lobelia siphilitica (Great Blue Lobelia)

Shrubs

Aronia melanocarpa (Black Chokeberry)

Cephalanthus occidentalis (Buttonbush)

Physocarpus opulifolius (Common or Eastern Ninebark)

Vaccinium corymbosum ([Northern] Highbush Blueberry)

Clethra alnifolia (Sweet Pepperbush, Summersweet)

Ilex verticillata (Winterberry)

Itea virginica (Virginia Sweetspire, Virginia-willow)

Hydrangea arborescens (Wild or Smooth Hydrangea)

Trees

Betula nigra (River Birch, Red Birch)

Crataegus crus-galli (Cockspur Hawthorn)

Nyssa sylvatica (Black Gum, Sour Gum, Black Tupelo)

Taxodium distichum (Bald Cypress, Baldcypress)

Vines

Bignonia capreolata (Cross-vine)

Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia-creeper)