7 Plants That Provide Erosion Control
Plants that offer erosion control are incredibly useful in gardens where erosion is a problem. Ground cover plants and shrubs with strong root systems and broad leaves are particularly helpful, as they hold back soil and soften the impact of rain. Is erosion a problem in your garden? Here are the seven best erosion-controlling plants.
Common periwinkle (Vinca minor) is a trailing evergreen subshrub that forms large, dense colonies. Because of this quality, Common periwinkle is commonly used in landscaping as a groundcover. It is a mildly toxic plant, but due to its pungent taste, it rarely gets ingested in amounts significant enough to cause toxic effects.
Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) is a flowering plant native to the United States. The Latin name Phlox subulata means needle-shaped, which describes its leaves. Creeping phlox is sometimes confused with marijuana due to its similar smell.
Weeping forsythia (Forsythia suspensa) is commonly known as the golden bell because of its bright yellow leaves. It is native to Asia and has been cultivated by Chinese growers for centuries. Weeping forsythia was named after Scottish botanist William Forsythia.
Creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is a flowering plant species related to mint that smells like herbal lemon. It is native to Europe and North Africa and popular in ornamental gardens for borders and ground cover.
Creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) is a juniper shrub native to North America, particularly Canada. Creeping juniper is mainly grown as an ornamental plant for ground cover in gardens. There are over 100 cultivars of Creeping juniper.
Spotted Dead Nettle is most often known as a ground cover plant that does well in the shade. It has a habit of growing low to the ground in cold seasons and tall if conditions are warm. Although its name sounds sinister, the Spotted Dead Nettle does not sting or burn like other nettles – hence the term ‘dead’ nettle. One cultivar of the species produces yellow leaves rather than the characteristic green-and-silver ones.
Creeping lilyturf (Liriope spicata) is an herbaceous flowering plant native to East Asia. It is commonly used in landscaping for ground cover. Blackish berries develop on this plant in the fall season.