Plants for erosion control

Swansons is pleased to offer a wide variety of plants known for quick and deep rooting, quick surface coverage, and/or suited for less-than-ideal conditions on banks and slopes. In order to establish plants properly, it may be necessary to build individual watering “saucers” for each plant, or temporarily install a drip irrigation system. Please note, however, that adding excess water to a slope may help destabilize it. Irrigation systems are prohibited on slopes designated as “Sensitive” by many cities or counties, for good reason. For more detailed information about each plant, please refer to individual cultivar signs, or consult one of our nursery professionals.

(S) suitable for shade

(DT) drought-tolerant

(N) native of western Washington

Trees

VINE MAPLE
 Acer circinatum (S, N)
RUGOSA ROSE
 Rosa rugosa and cultivars (DT)
SNOWBERRY
 Symphoricarpos albus (DT, S, N)
WILLOW
 Salix spp. and cultivars (S) (N-some spp.)
TWINBERRY
 Lonicera involucrata (S, N)
SHORE PINE
 Pinus contorta var. contorta (DT, N)
CASCARA
 Rhamnus purshiana (S, N)

Shrubs

WILD LILAC
 Ceanothus spp. and cultivars (DT)
ROCKROSE
 Cistus spp. and cultivars (DT)
TWIG DOGWOOD
 Cornus sericea (N, DT, S), C. alba and cultivars (DT, S)
JUNIPER
 Juniperus spp. and cultivars (DT)
TWINBERRY
 Lonicera involucrata (S, N)
PACIFIC WAX MYRTLE
 Myrica californica (DT, N)
INDIAN PLUM
 Oemleria cerasiformis (S, N)
SUMAC
 Rhus typhina, R. glabra and cultivars (all DT)
RED FLOWERING CURRANT
 Ribes sanguineum (DT, S, N)

Groundcovers and vines

KINNIKINNICK
 Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (DT, N)
POINT REYES CEANOTHUS
 Ceanothus gloriosus (DT)
COTONEASTER
 Cotoneaster dammeri, C. “Lowfast” (all DT)
CREEPING STRAWBERRY
 Fragaria spp. (DT, S)
SALAL
 Gaultheria shallon (DT, S, N)
JAPANESE HONEYSUCKLE
 Lonicera japonica (DT)
LOW OREGON GRAPE
 Mahonia nervosa (N, DT, S), M. repens (DT, S)
TAIWAN CREEPING RUBUS
 Rubus pentalobus (DT, S)
PERIWINKLE
 Vinca minor and cultivars (DT,S)