There are many erosion control plants to help keep the soil in place on a flat surface and that can stabilize a slope. The most important consideration is can a plant develop a deep root system fast enough and not be part of the problem.

Some erosion control plants that are good on a relatively flat surface is any type of grass that has a tough fast growing root system like Yarrow, Pigeon Point, Monkey Flower and California Fuchsia. The combination of growing fast and having sturdy deep roots will help the soil stay in place no matter how hard it rains or how high the winds might get.

Small shrubs and trees are good for sloping areas that need erosion control plants. Some of the more common ones are Brickell Bush, Apache Plume, Coast Goldenbush, California Buckeye, Southern California Walnut, Coulter Pine, Dogwood and the Wild Rose to name a few.

The main purpose of these plants is to have it so their root systems become so intertwined with the soil, that a reduction in dust and the possibility of runoff due to water and rain is reduced. This is by increasing the soils shear strength.

One of the best plants to increase the shear strength of soil is the King Alfred. This plant was tested and showed that it strengthened the soil by 752 percent. The next best plant known to yield positive results was the Nafray. It strengthened the soil by 475 percent. The tests were conducted by Ozbreed limited and reported in 2008. Both of these plants are native to Australia and may not be available where you live or need them, but there is a substitute that industry experts can be consulted on.

Nature has made erosion control plants for every country if we just replant them, they will work again.

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