Protecting a shady slope is different than protecting a sunny slope. The tree canopy intercepts raindrops, and that's a big head start on preventing erosion. Leaves shed by trees accumulate on the forest floor and intercept any raindrops that make it through the canopy. Tree roots stretch out in all directions, holding soil in place. In the forest, even soil that seems devoid of vegetation is likely to be full of tree roots. As a result, in the woods, you don't need to cover every square inch of ground to prevent erosion. In fact, too much digging around in the tree roots will hurt the trees, and that would be counterproductive. To minimize damage to tree roots, sow seeds or plant the smallest potted plants available (usually plugs or quarts) rather than planting larger specimens. Here are our favorite native plants for vegetating a shady slope.
Wild hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens). Photo: Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org
Eastern Columbine
- Slope Attributes: deer resistant
- Soil Requirements: mesic to dry soil with good calcium availability
Eastern Bottlebrush Grass
Elymus hystrix
- Slope Attributes: deer resistant, quick germination, winter presence
- Soil Requirements: moist to dry soil with good calcium availability
White Wood Aster
Eurybia divaricata
- Slope Attributes: spreading by rhizomes
- Soil Requirements: mesic to dry
Woodland Sunflower
Helianthus divaricatus
- Slope Attributes: spreads by rhizomes, deer resistant, winter presence
- Soil Requirements: mesic to dry, not acidic
- Note: for the Piedmont and Mountain ecoregions
Wild Hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens
- Slope Attributes: This shrub naturally grows on steep slopes and cliffs.
- Soil Requirements: Requires good calcium availability.
Golden Groundsel
- Slope Attributes: spreading, winter presence
- Soil Requirements: wet or moist soil like that found at the bottom of many slopes
Christmas Fern
- Slope Attributes: deer resistant, winter presence
- Soil Requirements: moist if well-drained, to dry
Wreath Goldenrod
Solidago caesia
- Slope Attributes: deer resistant
- Soil Requirements: mesic to dry
Black Haw
Viburnum prunifolium
- Slope Attributes: more deer resistant than most other shrubs, winter presence
- Soil Requirements: wet to dry
Related information
Additional resources
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Your local native plant vendor can recommend even more great native plants to help you with your slope planting project! They will want to know the specifics of your site, such as soil texture, pH, and moisture. If you live in Maryland's mountain counties, your vendor will also need to know your slope's aspect and soil depth.
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You can get more information about preventing soil erosion from your local Soil & Water Conservation District.
Still have a question? Contact us at Ask Extension.