Erosion Control Vegetation Guide

Here at Demex, we know that it takes a comprehensive approach to Erosion Control to protect the shoreline. As we start warming up for the summer months, we encourage you to take a look at the best Erosion Control Vegetation for Zone 6! We have even included our Dog Safe stamp of approval to make choosing the right vegetation nice and simple!

Landscaping is an easy and affordable step you can take today to mitigate erosion. One of our favorite views from the barge is seeing a mature vegetation landscape complimenting one of our armor stone revetments!

**Big blue lilyturf (Liriope muscari)**

Plant type: Flower
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-10
Foliage: Evergreen
Bloom time: Late summer
Sunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade
Soil preferences: Clay, loam, sand, acidic to neutral, well-drained
Water needs: Medium; prefers moist soils
Mature height: 1-2 feet
Not Recommended for homes with pets

**Creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis)**

Plant type: Low-growing shrub
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-9
Foliage: Needled evergreen
Bloom time: Non-flowering
Sunlight needs: Full sun
Soil preferences: Rocky, sandy, well-drained soils
Water needs: Low to medium; prefers dry to medium moisture
Mature height: Up to 1.5 feet

**Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata)**

Plant type: Flower
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-9
Foliage: Evergreen to semi-evergreen
Bloom time: Mid to late spring
Sunlight needs: Prefers full sun but tolerates dappled shade
Soil preferences: Well-drained, slightly alkaline, sandy, rocky, humus-rich soils
Water needs: Low; prefers dry soils
Mature height: 3-6 inches

**Japanese spurge (Pachysandra terminalis)**

Plant type: Shrubby, evergreen ground cover
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-9
Foliage: Evergreen
Bloom time: Spring
Sunlight needs: Part shade to full shade
Soil preferences: Slightly acidic, high organic matter, well-drained, clay, loam, chalk, and sand
Water needs: Medium; prefers moist soils
Mature height: 8-12 inches

**Ostrich fern (Onoclea struthiopteris)**

Plant type: Fern
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-7
Foliage: Deciduous
Bloom time: Non-flowering
Sunlight needs: Part to full shade
Soil preferences: Clay, loam, sand, well-drained
Water needs: Medium to high; prefers consistently moist soil, tolerates wet soils
Mature height: 3-6 feet

Periwinkle (Vinca minor)

Plant type: Flowering ground cover
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-9
Foliage: Evergreen
Bloom time: Mid-spring to early summer
Sunlight needs: Full sun to part shade
Soil preferences: Clay, loam, sand, well-drained
Water needs: Low to medium; prefers dry to medium moisture
Mature height: 3-6 inches
Not Recommended for homes with pets

**Rockspray cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis)**

Plant type: Shrub
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-7
Foliage: Deciduous but semi-evergreen in its southern zones
Bloom time: Late spring
Sunlight needs: Full sun to part shade
Soil preferences: Clay, loam, sand, well-drained
Water needs: Low to medium; prefers dry to medium moisture
Mature height: 2-3 feet
Potential hazards: Foliage and fruits are not edible. May cause an upset stomach when ingested
Not Recommended for homes with pets