Soil erosion slowed with smart planting

With many parts of the country experience a fairly damp spring this year, Cheryl and I are getting a lot of enquiries about plants that don't mind having wet feet.

Here's one of those questions from a reader dealing with soil erosion problems due to a landscape that is prone to flooding.

QUESTION: "We have moved into a house that is in a flood plain and are thinking of planting some low shrubs in the flood area to keep the soil from eroding further. We would consider trees, too, but we will probably outgrow this house in a couple of years and would like to plant something we can enjoy right away. "Do you have any suggestions? Bushes, flowers, we're open to any ideas, but on a very tight budget. The area gets good sun and is dry most of the time, but a good rain will turn it into a pond." - Liz Entman

ANSWER: Here is a listing of plants (including trees) that will grow in damper soils, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they can handle being under water for weeks at a time:

Sedges

Ferns

Red chokeberry

Red twig dogwood

Spicebush

Tulip poplar

Irises

Daylilies

Willows (weeping)

Green ash

American elm

Inkberry

Sambucus

Viburnum dentatum

Red maple (common variety)

Pin Oak

River Birch

If the area is currently wet, it can take multiple plantings to get these plants established so that they will survive. One important point to bear in mind is that the flood plain area might be listed as restricted government reserve. If you live in any of these areas, be sure to check with the local planning department before doing anything.

In last week's column there was a link to a Web site posted by the Extension Service of North Carolina State University, listing plants most likely to tolerate flooding conditions. If you missed it, you can find that column archived at my Web site, www.landsteward.org

But even if your sloping terrain is not subject to flooding, soil erosion can still be a problem, as this next reader has found.

QUESTION: "What would be your suggestions for the best evergreen plants or groundcover with fast growth that would stabilize anembankment? It gets full sun near a busy road in Zone 6." - Tony May

ANSWER: The following are some evergreen groundcovers and can handle full sun in your area:

Ivy

Liriope

Pachysandra

Vinca

Purple wintercreeper

In planting on a slope, it is necessary to keep the root system from washing down hill during spring rains. Once planted and watered in, putting a medium to thin (a thick layer can cause mold) layer of straw over the area will go a long way in protecting the newly planted area.

This wouldn't be necessary with the liriope as it has a large root system. The straw should stay on the hillside until the plants begin to take root securely and are able to withstand the elements on their own.

Here's an interesting idea from Georgia that could work successfully in other parts of the country. An online community called The Grove has been created as a joint effort by the Georgia Urban Forest Council (GUFC) and the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC). The objective is to educate, engage and encourage Georgians to plant trees and protect Georgia's urban tree canopy.

The Grove allows families and friends to share the experience of planting trees and commemorating special life moments. The Grove members can share their memories by uploading pictures and stories of their tree planting experiences for others to see and discuss. The Grove members can also create groups, or "groves," to connect, share and interact with other members within the virtual community.

According to GFC, Georgia's urban forests have been diminishing, due to the rapid growth in development. This is certainly an issue in other urban and suburban areas across America.

Strategically planted trees improve energy efficiency in homes, encourage people to linger and shop longer in business districts, provide shade to keep cities cool and make communities healthier and safer places to live.

You can find out more, and perhaps be inspired to start a similar project in your community, at www.GeorgiaGrove.org