Avant Gardener: Banks can prove to be a challenge

  • By Kyle Valentini
  • August 7, 2012
  • 323
                        
Summary: When challenged with a bank or high-erosion area, try planting species native to Ohio that will look great, prevent erosion and be a source of food for wildlife. A few weeks back a reader shared her struggle to grow plants on a shale bank. Banks can be trouble spots but she did exactly what I would have recommended, she terraced it. Not only does this make it safer for her when she is tending to the bed but it will help alleviate erosion as time passes. Despite what some homeowners thing large chunks of broken concrete are not attractive no matter what purpose they serve. Black plastic is not attractive either and yet these two methods remain popular in the region for steep banks erosion control. Banks are a bear to mow and are best planted with groundcovers or flowers rather than grass. Because runoff tends to make banks dryer choosing drought-tolerant plants can be a smart choice. Regardless of what plants you choose it is important to water newly planted species until they are well-established. Choosing perennials will be cost-effective because they return year after year. Dividing perennials every third or fourth year will provide you with a supply of new plants that can be planted in other parts of the bed, yard or even given away to friends or family that help with the initial preparation and maintenance of the bank. Native species are always the wisest choice for hard-to-grow areas because they are already accustomed to the unpredictable climate that is our Ohio. Asters, goldenrod, coneflower and milkweed will attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Small trees like Alder, Aspen and sumac are great for erosion control. Shady areas could benefit from Christmas fern or wintergreen. Plants that have a tendency to spread can be perfect for banks. Mint is known for spreading quickly and fortunately Ohio has several varieties that will do well on a bank. Try slender mountain, hairy mountain or Virginia mint if for nothing else the amusing names that come with them. If you can’t get enough of the crazy names try hairy beardtongue or some native ornamental grasses like Indian or purple lovegrass. By planting native species you allow the plants to perpetuate and they appreciate the opportunity. So many invasive species have become acclimated and are wildly spreading and displacing the native ones. Of the 2700 plants found in Ohio only 1800 are native according to the Native Plant Society. The rest showed up on a wagon, a horses’ hoof or in the cuff of pioneer’s trousers. Some plants were intentionally brought here while others were uninvited and continue to do damage to the native species. One example of an invasive species is the multiflora rose. In the 1930’s planting multiflora rose was recommended by the USDA Soil Conservation Service for erosion control, strip mine reclamation, as a bird sanctuary and food source, as a living fence for cattle and as a crash barrier on highways. Turns out this well-intended plan was ill-thought out and a horrible mistake. The plant has spread rapidly and is a challenge in forests, wildlife preserves and private property and is now considered a noxious weed. Despite the temptation do not dig plants from the wild to include in your own yard. Digging plants from the wild is disruptive to plant communities and I expect to get some grief for even calling it a community but it is….especially if you are a plant.


Loading next article...

End of content

No more pages to load