Managing out of control stormwater takes some real powerful solutions, right?
Walls, maybe, or dams come to mind.
Or plants.
That’s right. Those graceful grasses, lush ground covers, and flowering shrubs aren’t just pretty. They’re a powerful force against erosion — especially if they’re native plants.
North by Northwest division manager Cory Essman offers a dependable dozen native plants to control water runoff here in Central Texas.
But first, a look at why you need them.
Wayward Water is Bad News
When it’s out of control, water can wash away your topsoil, expose your tree roots, damage your buildings; foundations, and carry pollutants into the water system.
Commercial properties have a ton of potential for erosion control problems.
Steep slopes. Construction projects that create large expanses of bare soil. Big expanses of pavement that can’t absorb rainwater, so it quickly ends up flowing from your property right into the groundwater and nearby lakes and streams, taking all sorts of pollutants with it.
Even the weather here in central Texas can contribute to erosion problems. We often get heavy rain after a long drought.
The dry, baked ground can’t soak up the rain fast enough, so it washes the soil away.
Why Use Plants for Water Control?
Plants look great, but their real power for water control is invisible — underground.
Their roots hold soil together, making it harder to erode.
Plants that spread out cover bare soil, so it isn’t exposed to water.
And the leaves of plants slow down the power of raindrops, preventing the rain from dislodging and eroding the soil.
Best Native Plants in Austin Texas to Control Water Runoff
The best plants for erosion control are sturdy, with a vigorous root system that holds onto soil on a hill. Bonus points if they look great while doing it.
Native plants are perfect. 
They have deep, extensive root systems that slow down runoff, reduce soil erosion, and absorb dirty water before it gets into the nearby waterways.
We’re lucky to have some spectacular native plants in Austin, Texas that work great for water control:
Native Grasses for Water Control
- Mexican Feather Grass
- Gulf Muhly
- Little Bunny Fountain Grass
Native Flowers for Water Control
- Purple Coneflower
- Sunflower
- Fall Aster
Native Shrubs for Water Control
- Texas Sage
- Dwarf Yaupon Holly
- Agarita
Native Trees for Water Control
- Bald Cypress
- Mexican Sycamore
- Bitter Pecan
How to Use Plants for Stormwater Design
Now that you have great plants to control water runoff, where to put them?
- Rain gardens. Planted in a low area of your property, they encourage storm water to soak slowly into the ground instead of flowing directly into storm drains — and look great while they work.
- Steep slopes to slow down water and soil.
- Retention basins that collect water from rain and runoff and release it slowly, preventing erosion. Plants make all the difference, slowing down water and protecting the pond by holding soil on the bottom and at the water’s edge, which reduces erosion.
Need Plants for Water Control? Trust North by Northwest
Here at North by Northwest, stormwater control is one of our specialties.
If your problem can be controlled by adding plant materials, we’re experts in that.
But we do a lot of other related work, too, which means if you have an erosion control problem and a related drainage issue, (they often go hand in hand) we can fix both.
And if you have other landscaping needs on your commercial property, we can meet those, too.
Look for a company that has a lot of stormwater control tricks up their sleeve.
Are you ready for stress-free landscaping? Schedule a time to meet with one of our experts today. We’ll gather the details, create a customized plan just for you, and you can stop stressing as we improve and beautify your Austin, TX property.
Image Sources: Gulf Muhly, Purple Coneflower, Texas Sage, Mexican Sycamore, Agarita