Why Ground Cover Plants?, Native Ground Cover List, Non-Native Ground Cover List
Vegetation is an effective means of erosion control on roadside slopes, river banks, and other places. This is especially important with excessive amount of rain that Tillamook County receives annually. Ground cover plants are a good choice for erosion control and for planting in other places that need low-lying, low-maintenance plants. Below are some acceptable choices of ground cover for planting in or near Tillamook County road right-of-ways. Back to the top
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Salal
Bearberry (aka Kinnikkinnick)
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Description
Salal is a native to North America west coast. It is a dense, perennial
shrub growing from one to four feet in height. It has erect and spreading,
branched stems with large round to oval shaped, dull, leathery, evergreen leaves
that become a reddish color in the winter. This plant blooms from from
mid-spring to mid-summer with small pink, pendent flowers.
Uses
This excellent ground cover has many uses: The leaves of this plant are
often used in flower arrangements. The berries and the plant are food for
birds and deer. The berries are also edible for humans (in the past being
a staple food of northwest Native Americans) and can be eaten fresh, cooked,
dried, and made into jelly.
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Description
Bearberry is a low lying plant that rarely exceeds six inches in height.
Mature stems are reddish-brown in color and have small vertical twigs with dark
green, leathery leaves. In the fall the leaves turn to a reddish-green to
a purple. It blooms from mid to late spring with small white to pink
flowers at the terminus.
Uses
Bearberry is a good choice of ground cover for beautification and sand
stabilization. When established it creates a thick, evergreen vegetative
mat. Once established, it requires very little maintenance.
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Grass is a quick growing ground cover that requires maintenance. Grass seed mix can be purchased locally from several different stores.
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Last updated: Thursday, January 30, 2020 04:46 PM