Erosion Control
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Compiled by the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wildflowers and Native Plants, Inc.
Printable PDF version here
B=Blue | V=Violet/Purple | R=Red |
O=Orange | G=Green | W=White |
P=Pink | Y=Yellow |
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 thyrsiflorus var. griseus 'Yankee Point' B
- Mimulus spp., Monkey Flower O/P/R/Y
- Salvia spp., Groundcover Sage Varieties such as ‘Gracias,’ ‘Pt. Sal,’ ‘Bees Bliss’
- Epilobium canum ssp. canum and Epilobium canum ssp. latifolium, 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 var. 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 ssp. 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 ssp. californica, Southern California Walnut – excellent small- to medium-sized shade tree; edible nuts
- Malosma laurina Laurel Sumac, Rhus integrifolia Lemonadeberry, Rhus ovata Sugar Bush P/W -- drought-resistant, aromatic, attaining large size
- Pinus coulteri, Coulter Pine; Pinus jeffreyi Jeffrey Pine or Pinus ponderosa Ponderosa Pine at higher elevations
- Quercus agrifolia, Coast Live Oak; Quercus dumosa, Scrub Oak; Quercus wislizeni var. wislizeni, 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 rhombifolia, 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 stolonifera, 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