Ideally,
soil erosion control begins with soil erosion prevention, and certain plants are
excellent at soil erosion prevention. But when it's too late for soil erosion
prevention, you simply have to fix a problem that already exists. Building
retaining walls addresses both kinds of soil erosion control issues -- both
preventing it and fixing an existing problem.
Plants can be used to control slopes. Any of the slope control
methods above can be planted, or you can use plants alone. When plants are
established, the roots help anchor the soil.
Getting them established on a slope can be difficult. Seeds
and mulch wash away; planting holes are eroded before the plant gets
established.
Wildflowers, clump-forming ornamental grasses or other
perennial native plants usually adapt quickly to slopes and unimproved soil.
Rocky soil could also be adapted for a rock garden.
If you choose to provide irrigation for a planted slope, make
sure that the system's water pressure is adequate to water the entire area.
Here are some recommended landscape plants for slopes:
Ajuga
Juniper
Artemesia
Kerria
Banks Rose
Leucothoe
Barberry
Liriope
Clematis
Manzanita
Cotoneaster
Pachysandra
Daylilies
Potentilla
Euonymous
Salvia
Forsythia
Sedum
Hydrangea
Vinca
Ivy
Weigela
And here is a very complete list...
GROUNDCOVERS (for surface soil retention)
Achillea millefolium, Yarrow P/R/W – full sun or part shade; spreads
Baccharis pilularis ‘Twin Peaks’ or ‘Pigeon Point’, Dwarf Coyote Brush W
Ceanothus griseus horizontalis ‘Yankee Point’ B
Grasses with tough fibrous root systems (many choices)
Mimulus spp., Monkey Flower O/P/R/Y
Salvia spp., Groundcover Sage Varieties such as ‘Gracias,’ ‘Pt. Sal,’ ‘Bees
Bliss’
Epilobium canum and E. canum latifolia, California Fuchsia P/R/W (white form
requires some shade)
SMALL SHRUBS (for soil retention and limited hillside
stabilization):
Artemisia californica, Coastal Sagebrush G/Y – aromatic, super-tough plant for
dry spots
Brickellia grandiflora, Brickell Bush W – easy to grow and tough; good for
partially shaded dry spot
Encelia californica, California Bush Sunflower Y – fast-growing and easy;
reseeds; seeds appeal to birds
Eriogonum spp., Buckwheat P/W – especially E. fasciculatum, California Buckwheat
Fallugia paradoxa, Apache Plume W/Y – tough plant with lovely tufted seedheads
Isocoma menziesii, Coast Goldenbush Y – cheerful fall bloomer
Isomeris arborea, Bladderpod Y –bright yellow flowers attract hummers and
bumblebees; interesting seed pods
Iva hayesiana, San Diego Marsh Elder – crisp green color, soft texture; spreads,
takes sun or shade
Romneya coulteri, Matilija Poppy W/Y – tough root system spreads by rhizomes
Salvia spp., Sages B/P/R/V/W – shrubs such as Black and White Sages, Cleveland
Sage, San Miguel Mtn. Sage
Trichostema lanatum, Wooly Blue Curls B/V – likes a dry sunny spot with
excellent drainage
Yucca whipplei, Our Lord’s Candle W
LARGE SHRUBS AND TREES (for hillside stabilization):
Adenostoma fasciculatum, Chamise W – tough-as-nails, with striking white flower
clusters in spring
Aesculus californica, California Buckeye W – one of the most ornamental native
shrubs/trees
Arctostaphylos spp., Manzanita P/W – very deep root system; many stump-sprout
after fire
Ceanothus spp., California Lilac B/V/W – especially local species; hybrids best
with a little afternoon shade
Cephalanthus occidentalis, Button Willow W – ornamental ball-shaped flowers;
deciduous; likes water
Heteromeles arbutifolia, Toyon W – excellent for screen or bird habitat;
adaptable to wet or dry, sun or shade
Juglans californica, Southern California Walnut – excellent small- to
medium-sized shade tree; edible nuts
Rhus spp.: Laurel Sumac, Lemonadeberry, Sugar Bush P/W -- drought-resistant,
aromatic, attaining large size
Pinus coulteri, Coulter Pine; at higher elevations: P. jeffreyi, Jeffrey Pine or
P. ponderosa, Ponderosa Pine
Quercus spp. (Oak) such as Q. agrifolia, Coast Live Oak; Q. dumosa, Scrub Oak;
Q. wislizenii, Interior Live Oak
Sambucus mexicana, Elderberry W/Y – pretty flower clusters and berries; takes
moisture or drought
SHRUBS AND TREES FOR EROSION CONTROL IN DRY OR MOIST SHADE:
Alnus spp., Alder – moisture to get established
Brickellia grandiflora, Brickell Bush W – dry
Calycanthus occidentalis, Spice Bush R – dry or moist
Cercis occidentalis, Western Redbud P – dry
Cornus spp., Dogwood W – moist
Euonymus occidentalis, Burning Bush P – moist
Iva hayesiana, San Diego Marsh Elder – dry or moist
Quercus chrysolepis, Canyon Live Oak – dry or moist
Ribes spp., Currants and Gooseberries – dry or moist
Rosa californica, Wild Rose P – moist; tolerates dry
Salix spp., Willow – moist or wet
Spiraea douglasii, Spiraea P – moist
Symphoricarpos mollis, Snowberry P – dry or moist
Umbellularia californica, CA Laurel W – dry or moist
