BEACHGRASS

NOTE: Although the following species will not provide much in the way of erosion control, they will grow in this environment:

Little Bluestem, a warm season grass, and Black-eyed Susan, Coreopsis, and Smooth Aster wildflowers.

American Beachgrass

(Amnophila breviligulata)

Is native to the Atlantic Coast and the Great Lakes. It is more strongly rhizomatous, less sensitive to high temperatures and somewhat longer-lived than European beachgrass. American beachgrass is a tough, coarse, erect perennial with hard, scaly, creeping rhizomes and dense, spike-like seedheads. Seed is generally infertile.

American beachgrass has proved to be the best plant for initial stabilization of moving sand. Stems from the plant form a mechanical barrier which slows and then traps moving sand.

EVERY SPRING AND FALL

BEACHGRASS

Sand Cherry—Low shrub (3’-6’) produces white flowers in spring/early summer and dark purple fruit toward fall. Great to fill in sandy, dry areas, and for erosion control along lakes.

Red-osier Dogwood—A native shrub, 6-8 ft. tall, deep red bark, dark green leaves with white flowers. Grows well along bottom of dune where roots can reach moisture. Common shrub along the dunes.

Ninebark—A stout looking, multi-stemmed, woody shrub with shredding bark, grows in areas with moisture. Grows 3-9 ft. tall. Like red-osier dogwood it needs moisture.

Common Juniper—A native low spreading evergreen shrub which is slow-growing. The dusty blue “berry” is actually a cone. Needs full sun and dry, sandy soils.

Bearberry (kinnikinnick) - Native creeping shrubby groundcover plant that grows 1 ft. high. This will grow on sandy and rocky sites. Needs full sun.

Rosa Rugosa—Hardy fast growing shrub with showy white, pink or red flowers. Grows in droughty sands. Non-native, but non-invasive shrub.

Nanking Cherry—A fast growing dense shrub which produces showy white blossoms and edible fruit in July. Grows in full sun and will tolerate drought conditions. Will grow in a variety of soils, including sand.

LAKESHORE AND DUNE STABILIZATION USING VEGETATION

Lakeshore slopes and sand dunes are harsh growing environments. Vegetation is crucial in protecting these areas. Plants growing on these sites are subjected to wind erosion and sand abrasion. Without sufficient plant cover erosion can cause site and off-site damage.

A special group of plants grow in these conditions. They typically have protective surfaces on leaves to avoid abrasion and drying. Root systems are spreading and, in the case of beachgrass and other groundcovers, have rhizomes or “runners”.

Larger slopes often have several growing “zones”. These zones are identified by stratified soils, seeps, steepness or pitch, shade, or other physical features, which may impact the type of plant that could grow there.

Site preparation for planting is often not necessary, as you will be planting in areas that lack sufficient cover. Mulching with straw and brush after planting could prove beneficial by shielding plants from erosion and drying.

The following woody plants and groundcovers are suited for Lakeshore and dune plantings; most are available from the Mason-Lake Conservation District:

Planting: American beachgrass plantings are established vegetatively with culms (plants). Enough moisture should be present so when an opening is made with a spade, the sand will not run back into the hole. If there is too much dry sand on the surface, scrape it away before the planting slot is opened. A narrow tile spade or planting bar may be used for hand planting. There have been mixed results in using a machine tree planter on large areas. When planting, protect the culms from wind and sun so they do not dry out.

A planting depth of 6 to 10 inches is suggested so that the buds at the base of the stem do not dry out nor will plants blow out in a heavy wind. When planting by hand, firm the soil around the plants with your heel. Place 1-3 stems or culms into each hole. On severe sites where quick cover is needed, space culms about 18 x 18 inches. A minimum of 20,000 culms per acre are needed for this solid planting, more if placing more than one culm per hole. Beachgrass is available for sale through the Mason-Lake Conservation District or through your local Conservation District. Call 231-757-3708 ext 3 or e-mail lynda.herremans@mi.nacdnet.net for more information.