HomeMy WebLinkAboutWilmington Athletic Complex Vegetative Cover Rep 11.9.2020
January 15, 2019
Addendum for Pre-Regulatory Landfill Site Vegetative Cover
Pre-Regulatory Landfill Unit (PRLF)
The reference documents included in this addendum were assembled by contractors for use by the PRLF Unit. Key Considerations
• The list of preferred perennials/annuals suitable for planting on PRLF sites, may be considered for
remedial action plans that incorporate a soil cover system with a minimum of 18-inches of soil on top of waste.
• PRLF sites covered with geocell type cover systems or soil cover systems that use less than 18-inches of soil on top of waste, must use turf grasses only.
• Box planters are permissible as alternatives if other types of vegetation are used.
• If the box planters are re-located or removed from the PRLF site, the area containing the box planter must be vegetated immediately.
Index 1. “Plants Suitable for Revegetation of Pre-Regulatory Landfill Sites with Soil Cover Systems in the North Carolina Coastal Plain & Piedmont”. S&ME, Inc., 5/2017.
2. “Plant Recommendations for Pre-Regulatory Landfill Sites to Be Used as Parks”. OBS Landscape Architects, 2017 3. “Plant Species Suitable for Landfill Containment Remedies – North Carolina Coastal Plain”. Mihaly Land Designs, 2017
Plants Suitable for Revegetation of
Pre-Regulatory Landfill Sites with Soil Cover
Systems
in the
North Carolina Coastal Plain & Piedmont
May 2017
Plants Suitable for Revegetation of Pre-Regulatory Landfill Sites with Soil Cover Systems May 2017
in the North Carolina Coastal Plain & Piedmont
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. 1
2.0 METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................................. 1
2.1 PLANT REQUIREMENTS .......................................................................................................... 1
2.2 AVAILABILITY SEARCH .......................................................................................................... 2
2.2 LIST DEVELOPMENT ............................................................................................................... 3
3.0 RESULTS ................................................................................................................................ 4
3.1 SHRUBS .................................................................................................................................. 4
3.2 GRASSES/RUSHES/GROUNDCOVERS ....................................................................................... 5
3.3 PERENNIALS/ANNUALS .......................................................................................................... 5
4.0 CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................................... 5
5.0 REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................ 7
APPENDIX A – PLANTS DETERMINED TO LIKELY MEET NCDEQ
REQUIREMENTS FOR PLANTING ON PRE-REGULATORY LANDFILL SITES
WITH SOIL COVER SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH CAROLINA PIEDMONT AND
COASTAL PLAIN
LIST OF TABLES
TABLE 1. NURSERIES CONTACTED THAT WERE WILLING TO SHARE PLANT AVAILABILITY. ..................................................................... 2
TABLE 2. SOD FARMS CONTACTED FOR SPECIES AVAILABILITY. ................................................................................................................... 2
TABLE 3. LIST OF PREFERRED SHRUBS FOR PLANTING ON PRE-REGULATORY LANDFILLS WITH SOIL COVER SYSTEMS IN NORTH
CAROLINA. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 4
TABLE 4. LIST OF PREFERRED GRASSES/GROUNDCOVERS FOR PLANTING ON PRE-REGULATORY LANDFILLS WITH SOIL COVER
SYSTEMS IN NORTH CAROLINA. .............................................................................................................................................................. 5
TABLE 5. LIST OF PREFERRED PERENNIALS/ANNUALS FOR PLANTING ON PRE-REGULATORY LANDFILLS WITH SOIL COVER
SYSTEMS IN NORTH CAROLINA. .............................................................................................................................................................. 6
TABLE A1. SHRUBS DETERMINED TO LIKELY MEET NCDEQ REQUIREMENTS FOR PLANTING ON PRE-REGULATORY LANDFILLS
WITH SOIL COVER SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH CAROLINA COASTAL PLAIN AND PIEDMONT. ....................................................... A-2
TABLE A2. GRASSES/GROUNDCOVERS DETERMINED TO LIKELY MEET NCDEQ REQUIREMENTS FOR PLANTING ON PRE-
REGULATORY LANDFILLS WITH SOIL COVER SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH CAROLINA COASTAL PLAIN AND PIEDMONT. ........... A-3
TABLE A3. ANNUALS/PERENNIALS DETERMINED TO LIKELY MEET NCDEQ REQUIREMENTS FOR PLANTING ON PRE-REGULATORY
LANDFILLS WITH SOIL COVER SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH CAROLINA COASTAL PLAIN AND PIEDMONT. ................................... A-4
Plants Suitable for Revegetation of Pre-Regulatory Landfill Sites with Soil Cover Systems May 2017
in the North Carolina Coastal Plain & Piedmont
1
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Maintaining vegetation over a landfill cover system is vital to maintaining the integrity of the
landfill. Plants provide ecological diversity while preventing soil erosion. Additionally, landfills
with established vegetated soil cover systems are considered aesthetically pleasing to the public.
However, if plant roots puncture the liner, the soil cover system is then vulnerable to damage due
to uprooting in extreme weather events. A list of plants that are suitable for these sites as
alternatives to standard lawns has been developed. These plants will serve to retain soil placed
over the waste and prevent erosion.
2.0 METHODOLOGY
The purpose of this report was to create a plant list of species suitable for planting on pre-
regulatory landfills with soil cover systems in the coastal plain and Piedmont of North Carolina
(NC). These plant lists are an alternative vegetative cover to standard grasses and may be
provided to property owners. Plants of interest are small shrubs and herbaceous plants, including
grasses, grass alternatives, rushes, perennials, annuals, and groundcovers.
2.1 Plant Requirements
The NCDEQ provided S&ME, Inc. and Carolina Silvics, Inc. with a list of specifications for
plants. These requirements are intended to ensure that the cap lining is not damaged, plants used
are suitable for the geographic province in which the landfill is located, and that plant growth
and survival is not dependent on costly, routine maintenance. Plants included on the list must
meet the following requirements:
• Root depth no greater than 18 inches at maturity with no root runner greater than 6
inches,
• Prevents soil erosion,
• Not an exotic intrusive species,
• Drought and pest resistant,
• Can withstand extreme weather events, and
• If woody, height not greater than 24 inches at maturity.
Other characteristics that may be vital to sustain a healthy flora include but are not limited to:
• Salt tolerance,
• Freezing points,
• Flood tolerance, and
• Low maintenance requirements.
Plants Suitable for Revegetation of Pre-Regulatory Landfill Sites with Soil Cover Systems May 2017
in the North Carolina Coastal Plain & Piedmont
2
2.2 Availability Search
As plant lists not cognizant of current commercial availability often frustrate land management
objectives, we began by contacting the North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association for a
list of large wholesale nurseries in the North Carolina coastal plain and Piedmont. Twelve (12)
nurseries were contacted. Ten (10) were willing to share their current availabilities via email or
online access. These 10 nurseries are listed in Table 1 below.
Table 1. Nurseries contacted that were willing to share plant availability.
Nursery Name Phone Number Region Located
Baucoms Nursery (800) 438-0444 Piedmont
Cure Nursery (919) 542-6186 Piedmont
Mellow Marsh Farm (919) 752-1200 Piedmont
Southeastern Native Plants (828) 670-8330 Piedmont/Mountains
Grants Creek Nursery (910) 353-0326 Coastal Plain
Johnson Nursery
Cooperation
(800) 624-8174 Coastal Plain
Native Roots (910) 385-8385 Coastal Plain
Southern Branch Nursery (757) 373-7763 Coastal Plain (Virginia)
Taylor’s Nursery (919) 231-6161 Piedmont
Tinga Nursery (910) 762-1975 Coastal Plain
To determine species available as sod, we visited the North Carolina Sod Producers Association
website to obtain a list of providers. We then attempted to contact each provider to determine
size of operation. The following six farms included in Table 2 were determined to be the largest
in North Carolina and their availability was included in our lists.
Table 2. Sod farms contacted for species availability.
Nursery Name Phone Number Region Located
American Turf Grass Coop (800) 315-9574 Coastal Plain
Cape Fear Turf Farm (910) 669-2295 Coastal Plain
DMG Farms (919) 639-4027 Coastal Plain/Piedmont
Jackson Turf (910) 669-2991 Coastal Plain
Piedmont Turf Farm (828) 428-8359 Piedmont
Vandemark (252) 437-1501 Coastal Plain
Plants Suitable for Revegetation of Pre-Regulatory Landfill Sites with Soil Cover Systems May 2017
in the North Carolina Coastal Plain & Piedmont
3
2.2 List Development
All available plants were divided into three categories: shrubs, grasses/groundcovers, and
perennials/annuals. We then attempted to obtain the following information for each
species/cultivar:
• Scientific name,
• Common name,
• Invasive status,
• Invasive potential/status,
• Root Depth (in) at maturity,
• Height (in) at maturity,
• Drought tolerance (high, moderate, low),
• United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) Wetland Indicator Status
• Flood tolerance (high, moderate, low),
• Salt tolerance (high, moderate, low),
• Disease/insect resistance (high, moderate, low),
• Animal resistance (high, moderate, low),
• Annual/Perennial,
• Maintenance requirements (high, moderate, low),
• Recommended United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) hardiness zone,
• Cold hardiness (high, moderate, low and/or minimum temp for survival (F))
• Suitability for NC Piedmont (USDA hardiness zones 8a, 7b & 7a),
• Suitability for NC Coastal Plain (USDA hardiness zones 8b, 8a & 7b), and
• other pertinent information readily available.
Species determined to be invasive or to exceed maximum root depths or maximum height at
maturity were removed from the lists. Those that remained were then researched for USFWS
indicator status and drought tolerance. Species found to be drought intolerant or obligate wetland
species (indicator status of OBL) were also removed from the lists. The lists were then revised to
remove any species that additional research indicated would not be suitable.
The main sources relied upon to gather this information were the USDA Plants Database and the
Missouri Botanical Garden’s online site. Other online sources, such as personal blogs and
antidotes, were used when these two sources lacked sufficient data. If information could not be
found for a certain species/cultivar, that field was left blank.
Plants Suitable for Revegetation of Pre-Regulatory Landfill Sites with Soil Cover Systems May 2017
in the North Carolina Coastal Plain & Piedmont
4
3.0 RESULTS
Review of the availability lists from the nurseries yielded a total of 503 plant species/cultivars of
shrubs, grasses/groundcovers, and perennials/annuals to be included on our initial list. Of these,
143 were determined to likely meet NCDEQ requirements and are included in Appendix A.
Root depth information is scarce, and when available, typically is provided as minimum root
depth versus maximum. As such, maximum root depth often had to be estimated based on other
factors, and we cannot guarantee that all 143 species have root depths of less than 18 inches with
no runners exceeding six inches. To ameliorate this concern, species that we are confident
typically meet the 18-inch maximum rooting depth requirement were further separated and then
ranked based on drought tolerance and maintenance. Species with moderate to high drought
tolerance, low to moderate maintenance requirements, and strongly believed to have root systems
less than 18 inches deep were included in our list of 53 preferred species. Each of the three
preferred lists (species/cultivars of shrubs, grasses/groundcovers, and perennials/annuals) are
discussed in more detail below.
3.1 Shrubs
Shrubs provide habitat for birds and small animals and have varied bloom and fruit periods that
can provide year-long aesthetic interest. Unfortunately, most shrubs grow greater than twenty-
four inches tall and many require regular maintenance to maintain a pleasing shape. Two
hundred and thirty-five (235) species of shrubs were obtained for our initial list. Nineteen (19) of
these were determined to likely meet NCDEQ criteria; ten (10) made the preferred list and are
shown in Table 3.
Table 3. List of preferred shrubs for planting on pre-regulatory landfills with soil cover
systems in North Carolina.
Suitable for
Scientific Name Common Name CP* P*
Buleja davidii 'Blue Chip PP#19,991' butterfly bush X X
Cotoneaster procumbens. 'Little Dipper' Queen of Carpets X X
Cotoneaster salicifilius. 'Scarlet Leader' willow-leaved cotoneaster X X
Cotoneaster salicifolius willow-leaved cotoneaster X X
Juniperus conferta 'Blue Pacific' juniper X X
Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Rug' juniper X X
Juniperus horizontalis 'Youngstown' Andorra juniper X X
Juniperus procumbens 'Nana' juniper X X
Spirea tomentosa steeplebush X X
Vaccinium angustifolium lowbush blueberry X X
*CP = coastal plain, P = Piedmont
Plants Suitable for Revegetation of Pre-Regulatory Landfill Sites with Soil Cover Systems May 2017
in the North Carolina Coastal Plain & Piedmont
5
3.2 Grasses/Rushes/Groundcovers
Grasses offer great ground coverage for soil erosion and can act as buffer for when leaks occur.
They are often low maintenance and some species provide habitat for birds and small animals.
Unfortunately, most of the grass species have root depths greater than 18 inches. One hundred
and five (105) species of grasses, rushes, and groundcovers were obtained from all of the
nurseries contacted. Forty-four (44) were determined to likely meet NCDEQ criteria; eight (8)
made the preferred list and are presented in Table 4.
Table 4. List of preferred grasses/groundcovers for planting on pre-regulatory landfills
with soil cover systems in North Carolina.
Suitable for
Scientific Name Common Name CP* P*
Elymus hystrix bottlebrush grass X X
Lomandra longifolia 'Breeze Pat #15,420' dwarf mat rush X X
• Lomandra longifolia 'Katrinus Deluxe #19,262' dwarf mat rush X X
Ophiopogon japonicus 'Dwarf Mondo' monkey Grass X X
• Ophiopogon japonicus 'Mondo' monkey Grass X X
Panicum anceps beaked panicgrass X X
Pennisetum orientale 'Karly Rose' Karly Rose oriental fountain
grass X X
Eremochloa ophiuroides common centipedegrass X X
*CP = coastal plain, P = Piedmont
3.3 Perennials/Annuals
Perennials’ and annuals’ bright flowers are visually appealing and diverse. Most species have
shallow root systems, are deer resistant, and require low maintenance. One hundred and sixty-
three (163) different perennials and annuals were obtained from the nurseries contacted. Eighty
(80) were determined to likely meet NCDEQ criteria; thirty-five (35) made the preferred list and
are presented in Table 5.
4.0 CONCLUSION
From a list of 513 potential plants currently commercially available at large wholesale nurseries
in the coastal plain and Piedmont, 152 plants were determined to likely meet NCDEQ
requirements for planting on pre-regulatory landfills with soil cover systems. Root depth is one
of the most important requirements, but is also the statistic least readily available. The final list
of 53 preferred plants that are expected to meet the height and root depth requirements, have
moderate to high drought tolerance and low to moderate maintenance needs.
Plants Suitable for Revegetation of Pre-Regulatory Landfill Sites with Soil Cover Systems May 2017
in the North Carolina Coastal Plain & Piedmont
6
Table 5. List of preferred perennials/annuals for planting on pre-regulatory landfills with
soil cover systems in North Carolina.
Suitable for
Scientific Name Common Name CP* P*
Aster carolinianus climbing aster X X
Baptisia australis 'Twilite Prairie Blues' wild indigo X X
Baptisia lactea white baptista X X
Chrysopsis mariana Maryland golden aster X X
Coreopsis auriculata mouse-ear tickseed X X
Coreopsis lanceolata lanceleaf coreopsis X X
Echinacea paradoxa Ozark coneflower X X
Geranium maculatum wild geranium X X
Helenium flexuosum purple sneezeweed X X
Helianthus angustifolius swamp sunflower X X
Iris cristata dwarf crested iris X X
Liriope muscari 'Evergreen Giant' lily turf X X
Liriope muscari 'Royal Purple' royal purple liriope X X
Liriope muscari 'Super Blue' big blue lily turf X X
Liriope muscari 'Variegata' variegated liriope X X
Lirope muscari 'Big Blue' lily-turf-blue X X
Lirope muscari 'Emarld Goddess' lily turf Grass X X
Marshallia obovata var. 'Obovata' Piedmont Barbra's buttons X X
Monarda fistulosa wild bergamot X X
Monarda punctata spotted beebalm X X
Parthenium integrifolium wild quinine X X
Penstemon digitalis foxglove beardtongue X X
Penstemon laevigatus smooth beardtongue X X
Physostegia virginiana obedient plant X X
Rudbeckia fulgida orange coneflower X X
Rudbeckia laciniata cutleaf coneflower X X
Rudbeckia nitida shiny coneflower X X
Rudbeckia subtomentosa 'Little Henry Eilers' sweet coneflower X X
• Rudbeckia triloba three-lobed coneflower X X
Ruellia caroliniensis Carolina wild petunia X X
• Silene virginica firepink X X
Solidago tenuifolia/Euthamia graminifolia slender goldenrod X X
Stokesia laevis stokes aster X X
Symphyotrichum cordifolium heartleaf aster X X
Vernonia noveboracensis New York ironweed X X
Plants Suitable for Revegetation of Pre-Regulatory Landfill Sites with Soil Cover Systems May 2017
in the North Carolina Coastal Plain & Piedmont
7
5.0 REFERENCES
(all websites were accessed between February 21, 2017 and March 13, 2017)
"Arctostaphylos uva-ursi." UConn. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://hort.uconn.edu/detail.php?pid=53>.
"Bottlebrush Grass." Illinois Wildflowers. N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/grasses/plants/bottlebrush.htm>.
"Buddleja Davidii (Butterfly Bush)." Invasive Species Compendium. N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/10314>.
"Cotoneaster Salicifolius." North Carolina Cooperative Extension. N.p., n.d. Web.
<https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/all/cotoneaster-salicifolius/>.
"Cotoneaster Tree." Balkep Balkan Ecology Project. N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://www.balkep.org/cotoneaster-x-watereri.html>.
"Drift Rose." South Florida Plant Guide. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.south-florida-plant-
guide.com/drift-rose.html>.
"Ferns, Grasses, & Perennials." Smart Water Ways. N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://www.smartwaterways.org/resource/VTRainGardenManualPlantList1.pdf>.
Greenwalt, Megan. "Consultants Break Down Effective Strategies for Landfill Covers." Waste
360. N.p., 09 May 2016. Web. <http://www.waste360.com/operations/consultants-break-down-
effective-strategies-landfill-covers>.
"Horsemint, Spotted Beebalm, Bee Balm." Dave's Garden. N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/799/#b>.
"How Deep Are Creeping Juniper Roots." SF Gate. N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://homeguides.sfgate.com/deep-creeping-juniper-roots-87120.html>.
"Hypericum Hypericoides." Florida Native Plant Society. N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/hypericum-hypericoides>.
"Lomandra Longifolia." Florabank. N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://www.florabank.org.au/lucid/key/species%20navigator/media/html/Lomandra_longifolia.
htm>.
Plants Suitable for Revegetation of Pre-Regulatory Landfill Sites with Soil Cover Systems May 2017
in the North Carolina Coastal Plain & Piedmont
8
"Mexican Hat Coneflower." Horticulture. N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://www.hortmag.com/plants/plants-we-love/mexican-hat-coneflower>.
"Native Plant Owners Manual ." Florida . N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://www.fnps.org/assets/pdf/pubs/ruellia_caroliniensis_carolinawildpetunia.pdf>.
"Online Plant Guide." The Growing Place. N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://plants.thegrowingplace.com/12120014/Plant/8309/Fine_Wine_Weigela>.
"Penstemon Laevigatus." Chesapeake Bay Native Plant Center. N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://www.nativeplantcenter.net/plants/penstemon-laevigatus/>.
"Plant Database." College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources. UConn, n.d. Web.
<http://hort.uconn.edu/list.php>.
"Plants Database." USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. N.p., n.d. Web.
<https://plants.usda.gov/java/>.
"Plant Records." Missouri Botanical Garden. N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org>.
"Plant Galleries." North Carolina Native Plant Society. Misty Franklin Buchanan, n.d. Web.
<http://www.ncwildflower.org/plant_galleries/invasives_list>.
"Salt Tolerant Ornamental Grasses." Garden Guides. N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://www.gardenguides.com/92029-salt-tolerant-ornamental-grasses.html>.
"Salt Tolerant Plants." Just Fruits and Exotics. N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://www.justfruitsandexotics.com/JFE/JF%20SaltTolerant.pdf>.
"Salt Tolerant Plants." Milican Nursuries. N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://www.millicannurseriesinc.com/uploads/pdfs/salt-tolerant-plants.pdf>.
"Salt Tolerant Plants." North Carolina Cooperative Extension. NC State University, n.d. Web.
<https://www.ces.ncsu.edu/files/library/71/Salt%20Tolerant%20Plants.pdf>.
"USDA Plant Hardness Zone Map." USDA . PRISM Climate Group, n.d. Web.
<http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/#>.
Wu, Shasha. "Morphological and Physiological Responses of Nine Ornamental Species to Saline
Irrigation Water." HortScience. N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://hortsci.ashspublications.org/content/51/3/285.abstract>.
A-1
APPENDIX A – PLANTS DETERMINED TO LIKELY MEET NCDEQ
REQUIREMENTS FOR PLANTING ON PRE-REGULATORY LANDFILL SITES
WITH SOIL COVER SYSTEMS IN THE NORTH CAROLINA PIEDMONT AND
COASTAL PLAIN
Table A1. Shrubs determined to likely meet NCDEQ requirements for planting on pre-regulatory landfills with soil cover systems in the North Carolina coastal plain and Piedmont.
1 D = drought, F = flood, S = salt, Dis/Ins = disease/insect, A = animal 2 H = high, M = moderate, L = low 3 CP = coastal plain, P = Piedmont
Scientific Name Common Name
Height (in)
at maturity
Root Depth
(in)
at maturity
Tolerance/
Resistance1, 2 Maint.
Req2
Life
Expectancy
USDA
Zone Suitabilty3
Annual (A)
or
Perennial (P)
Freezing
Point Notes D F S Dis/Ins A
Buleja davidii 'Blue Chip PP#19,991' butterfly bush 6 to 12 16 H L M H H L Long 5 to 9 CP, P P
Caryopteris x clandonensis Sapphire Surf Blauer
Splatz sapphire surf bluebeard 24 H M L H 5 to 9 CP, P
Cotoneaster procumbens. 'Little Dipper' Queen of Carpets 6 to 12 <18 H L H M L Long 5 to 9 CP, P P
Cotoneaster salicifilius. 'Scarlet Leader' willow-leaved cotoneaster 0-12 <18 H L H M L Long 6 to 8 CP, P P
Cotoneaster salicifolius willow-leaved cotoneaster 12 <18 H L H M L Long 6 to 8 CP, P P
Deutzia Yuki 'Cherry Blossom' deutzia 12 to 24 14 L L M H L Long 5 to 8 CP, P P
Deutzia Yuki 'Snowflake' deutzia 12 to 24 14 L L M H L Long 5 to 8 CP, P P
Gardenia jasminoides 'Radicans' trailing gardenia 6 to 12 <18 M L M L H 9 to 11 CP, P P
Juniperus conferta 'Blue Pacific' juniper 6 to 12 5 to 14 H L H H H L 6 to 11 CP, P P
Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Rug' juniper 0-6 14 H L M H H L 3 to 9 CP, P P
Juniperus horizontalis 'Youngstown' Andorra juniper 6 to 12 14 H L M H H L 3 to 9 CP, P P
Juniperus procumbens 'Nana' juniper 6 to 12 14 H L M H H L 4 to 9 CP, P P
Lorapetalum chinense var. rubrum 'Purple Pixie' lorapetalum 12 to 24 M M M H L 7 to 10 CP, P P
Pittosporum crassifolium 'Compacta' compact pittosporum 24-36 H
Rosa hybrida 'Drift' drift rose 12 to 24 <18 H L H H H 4 to 11 CP, P P
Spirea tomentosa steeplebush 24-48 <18 M L L M L 3 to 8 CP, P P
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus coralberry 24-60
Symphoricarpus spp. pink snow berry 12 to 48
Vaccinium angustifolium lowbush blueberry 24 10 M M H H M 3 to 8 CP, P P
Plants Suitable for Revegetation of Pre-Regulatory Landfill Sites with Soil Cover Systems May 2017
in the North Carolina Coastal Plain & Piedmont
A-3
Table A2. Grasses/groundcovers determined to likely meet NCDEQ requirements for planting on pre-regulatory landfills with soil cover systems in the North Carolina coastal plain and Piedmont.
1 D = drought, F = flood, S = salt, Dis/Ins = disease/insect, A = animal 2 H = high, M = moderate, L = low 3 CP = coastal plain, P = Piedmont
Scientific Name Common Name
Height (in)
at maturity
Root Depth
(in)
at maturity
Tolerance/
Resistance1, 2 Maint.
Req2
Life
Expectancy
USDA
Zone Suitabilty3
Annual (A)
or
Perennial (P)
Freezing
Point Notes D F S Dis/Ins A
Andropogon glomeratus bushy beard grass 75 12 L M L M H L Avg 5 to 9 CP, P P -23 Andropogon glomeratus bush bluestem 75 >12 L M L L H L Avg 5 to 9 CP, P P -23 Andropogon virginicus broomsedge bluestem 36 >14 H L L M H L Avg 5 to 8 CP, P P -18 Borrichia frutescens bushy seaside tansy 32 >14 L M H H H M Avg 8 to 11 CP P 17
Bouteloua curtipendula sideoats gramma 36 >12 M L L H M L Avg 4 to 9 CP, P P -43
Carex cherokeensis Cherokee sedge 6 to 12 4 to 12 L M L H H L Avg 6 to 9 CP, P P -33
Carex glaucescens southern waxy sedge 58 >16 L M None H M M Long 5 to 8 CP, P P -13
Carex intumescens greater bladder sedge 36 >8 None H None M H L Avg 5 to 8 CP, P P -33
Carex scoparia broom sedge 30 >8 None M L M H L Long 4 to 8 CP, P P -38
Carex stipata awlfruit sedge 42 >8 L M L M H L Avg 3 to 9 CP, P P -38
Carex vulpinoidea fox sedge 39 >16 L M None H H L Long 3 to 7 CP, P P -38 Weedy and spreads fast
Chasmanthium latifolium river oaks 55 >10 M M None H H L Avg 3 to 8 CP, P P -33
Cortaderia selloana 'Blue Bayou' dwarf Pampas grass 120 >14 H H M H M Avg 6 to 10 CP, P P
Cymbopogon citratus lemongrass 24-48 <18 M M M H H H Short 9 to 11 CP P A hard freeze will kill it
Cynodon dactylon bermudagrass 18 9 H M H L M M Long P 38
Needs 1 to 2 inches of water a
week to be established. Roots can
reach over 24 inches
Elymus hystrix bottlebrush grass 36 <18 H M L H L L 5 to 9 CP, P P
Elymus virginicus Virginia wild rye 30 <18 M L L H H L Short 3 to 8 CP, P P
Eragrostis spectabilis purple love grass 24 >4 H L L H M L Avg 5 to 9 CP, P P -43
Eremochloa ophiuroides common centapedegrass 5 6 to 8 M H L L L L Long P Can be aggressive once
established
Juncus tenuis path rush 6 to 24 >6 L H L H H L Long 2 to 9 CP, P P
Lomandra longifolia 'Breeze Pat #15,420' dwarf mat rush 36 <18 M M L H H M Long 7 to 11 CP, P P 24
Lomandra longifolia 'Katrinus Deluxe #19,262' dwarf mat rush 36 <18 M M L H H M Long 7 to 11 CP, P P 24
Muhlenbergia capillaris muhly grass 36 <18 L M H H H L Short 5 to 9 CP, P P 7
Muhlenbergia capillaris 'White Cloud' white muhly grass 48 L M H H H L Short 5 to 9 CP, P P 7
Muhlenbergia dumosa bamboo muhly 36 <18 H L H H H M Short 7 to 10 CP, P P
Ophiopogon japonicus 'Dwarf Mondo' monkey grass 3 <18 H M H H H M 7 to 10 CP, P P Intolerant of full sun
Ophiopogon japonicus 'Mondo' Monkey Grass 15 <18 H M H H H M 6 to 10 CP, P P Tolerates shade
Panicum amarum bitter panicum 60 >10 H M L H H L Long 2 to 9 CP, P P -18
Panicum anceps beaked panicgrass 48 >6 M M L L H L Long 4 to 11 CP, P P
Panicum rigidulum redtop panicgrass 40 >6 L M L H H L Long 4 to 9 CP, P P -33
Panicum virgatum switchgrass 60 >12 M M M M M L Long 5 to 9 CP, P P -43
Panicum virgatum 'Cloud Nine' tall switch grass 72 >12 H H M M M L Long 5 to 9 CP, P P -43
Panicum virgatum 'Dallas Blues' blue switch grass 72 >12 H H M M M L Long 5 to 9 CP, P P -43
Panicum virgatum 'Northwind' upright switch grass 72 >12 H H M M M L Long 5 to 9 CP, P P -43
Panicum virgatum 'Prairie Fire' red switch grass 60 >12 H H M M M L Long 5 to 9 CP, P P -43
Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah' Shenadoad switch grass 48 >12 H H M M M L Long 5 to 9 CP, P P -43
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Black Moundry' fountain grass 30 >8 L H M M H L Long 5 to 9 CP, P P -15
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Cassian' dwarf fountain grass 30 >8 L H M M H L Long 5 to 9 CP, P P -15
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hamlen' fountain grass 30 >8 L H M M H L Long 5 to 9 CP, P P -15
Pennisetum orientale 'Karly Rose' Karly Rose Oriental
fountain grass 18 >8 M M L M H L Long 5 to 8 CP, P P -15 Grows great in open areas
Schizachyrium scoparum little blue stem 36 >14 H M None H H L Long 5 to 9 CP, P P -38 Tolerates clay soils, poor soils,
and H heat
Sisyrinchium angustifolium blue-eyed grass 24 >4 L H None M H M Long 4 to 9 CP, P P -8 Grows best in well drained soils
Spartina patens saltmeadow cordgrass 24 >10 L H H H H M Long 7 to 11 CP, P P -3 Tridens flavus purpletop 30 >10 H L None L Short 3 to 7 P P -23
Plants Suitable for Revegetation of Pre-Regulatory Landfill Sites with Soil Cover Systems May 2017
in the North Carolina Coastal Plain & Piedmont
A-4
Table A3. Annuals/perennials determined to likely meet NCDEQ requirements for planting on pre-regulatory landfills with soil cover systems in the North Carolina coastal plain and Piedmont.
Scientific Name Common Name
Height (in)
at maturity
Root
Depth (in)
at
maturity
Tolerance/
Resistance1, 2
Maint.
Req2
Life
Expectancy
USDA
Zone Suitabilty3
Annual (A)
or
Perennial
(P)
Freezing
Point Notes D F S Dis/Ins A
Amsonia hubrichi Threadleaf Bluestar 36 M M M H L 5 to 8 CP, P P Amsonia tabernaimontana Eastern Bluestar 36 H M L H L 3 to 9 CP, P P Anemone virginiana Thimbleweed 24 M L H H M 2 to 8 CP, P P Aquilegia canadense Wild Columbine 36 H M H H M 3 to 8 CP, P P
Asclepias tuberosa Orange Butterflyweed 30 H L M H L 3 to 9 CP, P P
Asclepias verticillata Whorled Milkweed 30 H L M H L 4 to 9 CP, P P
Aster carolinianus Climbing Aster 120 <18 M M L H M 7 to 9 CP, P P
Aster novae-angeliae New England Aster 72 <6 L M H M M M 4 to 8 CP, P P
Baptisia alba White Wild indigo 48 H M H M L 5 to 8 CP, P P
Baptisia australis Blue False Indigo 48 <8 H L M H H L Avg 3 to 9 CP, P P
Baptisia australis 'Twilite Prairie Blues' Wild Indigo 'Twilite
Prairie Blues' 60 <8 H M M H M L Avg 4 to 8 CP, P P
Baptisia lactea White Baptista 60 <8 M M M H M L Avg 4 to 9 CP, P P
Callirhoe involucrata Winecup 12 >12 M L L M L L Avg 4 to 8 CP, P P -38
Chrysopsis mariana Maryland Golden Aster 30 <18 M M None H L M Avg 4 to 9 CP, P P Sandy, well drained soils with
full sunlight
Conoclinum coelestinum Blue MistfLer 40 >14 M M None L M M Avg 4 to 9 CP, P P -13
Coreopsis auriculata Mouse-ear Tickseed 9 >10 M M None H M L Avg 4 to 9 CP, P P
Coreopsis lanceolata Lanceleaf Coreopsis 24 >6 M M None L H M Avg 4 to 9 CP, P P -8 Well drained soils
Coreopsis palmata Prairie Coreopsis 30 >10 M L None M H L Avg 3 to 8 CP, P P Rocky, Sandy, Well Drained
soils
Coreopsis verticillata Threadleaf Tickseed 36 <18 H L None L H L Avg 3 to 9 CP, P P Well drained soils in full sun
Dianthus gratianopolitanus Carnations 24 M L None M H L Avg 4 to 8 CP, P P Needs well drained soils/non-
native
Dicentra cucullaria Duchman's Breeches 24 M M None M M 3 to 7 P P Needs moist well drained soils
Echinacea pallida Pale Purple ConefLer 14 >14 M L L M H L Long 3 to 10 CP, P P -33 Full sun to part shade, well
drained soils
Echinacea paradoxa Ozark conefLer 36 <5 M M None M H L Long 5 to 8 CP, P P
Eupatorium perfoliatum Boneset 72 >10 L H None H H L Avg 3 to 8 CP, P P Does well both sandy and clay
soils. Average moisture
Eutrochium dubium Dwarf Joe Pye Weed 48 >12 L H None H H L Long 3 to 9 CP, P P Moist soil
Gaillardia pulchella Indian Blanket 24 >12 H L None M M L Short 2 to 11 CP, P P 32
Geranium maculatum Wild Geranium 24 3 to 4 M M L M H M Avg 3 to 8 CP, P P
Helenium autumnale Common Sneezeweed 58 <6 L H L M M M Avg 3 to 8 CP, P P -43
Helenium flexuosum Purple Sneezeweed 36 <6 M H None M M M Short 5 to 9 CP, P P -28 Moist soils
Helianthus angustifolius Swamp SunfLer 67.2 <6 M H None M H Moderare Avg 6 to 9 CP, P P
Heuchera americana Alumroot 24 H M M H L L Avg 4 to 9 CP, P P
Iris cristata Dwarf Crested Iris 9 <7 M M None L H M Avg 3 to 9 CP, P P
Lilium superbum Turk's Cap Lily 9 <12 L M M H L M Avg 5 to 8 CP, P P
Liriope muscari 'Evergreen Giant' Lily Turf 24 <18 M M L H H L Avg 5 to 10 CP, P P -23
Liriope muscari 'Royal Purple' Royal Purple Liriope 18 <18 M M L H H L Avg 5 to 10 CP, P P -23
Liriope muscari 'Super Blue' Big Blue Lily Turf 30 <18 M M L H H L Avg 5 to 10 CP, P P -23
Liriope muscari 'Variegata' Variegated Liriope 18 <18 M M L H H L Avg 5 to 10 CP, P P -23
Lirope muscari 'Big Blue' Lily-Turf-Blue 24 <18 M M L H H L Avg 5 to 10 CP, P P -23
Lirope muscari 'Emarld Goddess' Lily Turf Grass 20 <18 M M L H H L Avg 5 to 10 CP, P P -23
Marshallia obovata var. 'Obovata' Piedmont Barbra's
Buttons 24 <18 H M H L L 7 to 8 CP, P P
Monarda didyma Beebalm 48 10 L M M L H L 4 to 9 CP, P P
Plants Suitable for Revegetation of Pre-Regulatory Landfill Sites with Soil Cover Systems May 2017
in the North Carolina Coastal Plain & Piedmont
A-5
1 D = drought, F = flood, S = salt, Dis/Ins = disease/insect, A = animal 2 H = high, M = moderate, L = low 3 CP = coastal plain, P = Piedmont
Monarda fistulosa Wild Bergamot 48 16 H M M M H Medium Avg 3 to 9 CP, P P -32
Monarda punctata Spotted Beebalm 24 6 H M M M H Medium 3 to 8 CP, P P
Oenothera fruticosa Southern Sundrop 18 <18 H L H H H L Avg 4 to 8 CP, P P -33
Parthenium integrifolium Wild Quinine 48 9 H M M H H L 4 to 8 CP, P P
Penstemon digitalis Foxglove Beardtongue 60 8 H M M H H Medium Avg 3 to 8 CP, P P -38
Penstemon laevigatus Smooth Beardtongue 42 9 H M M M H L 7 to 10 CP, P P
Phlox maculata Summer Phlox 36 8 L M M L M Medium 3 to 8 CP, P P
Phlox paniculata Garden Phlox 36 7 L M L L M Medium 4 to 8 CP, P P
Phlox stolonifera 'Sherwood Purple' Creeping Phlox 6 <18 H L M L L L 2 to 8 CP, P P
Physostegia virginiana Obedient Plant 48 8 M M M M H Medium 3 to 9 CP, P P
Pycnanthemum virginianum Virginia Mountain Mint 36 8 L H H H H L 5 to 7 P P
Ratibida columnifera Prairie ConefLer 36 7 H L L H H Medium Avg 4 to 9 CP, P P -43
Ratibida pinnata YelL ConefLer 60 12 H L L H H Medium Avg 4 to 8 CP, P P -38
Rudbeckia fulgida Orange ConefLer 36 8 H M H H H L 3 to 9 CP, P
Rudbeckia hirta Blak-eyed Susan 36 <18 H L H H H L Short 5 to 7 P A -23
Rudbeckia laciniata Cutleaf ConefLer 6
Rudbeckia maxima Giant Black-eyed Susan 84 >12 M M H H H L Short 4 to 9 CP, P P -23
Rudbeckia nitida Shiny ConefLer 60 >6 M M L H H L Short 4 to 8 CP, P P 22
Rudbeckia subtomentosa 'Little Henry Eilers' Sweet ConefLer 'Little
Henry Eilers' 60 <18 M M L H H L 4 to 8 CP, P P
Rudbeckia triloba Three-lobed conefLer 36 7 M M H H H L Short 4 to 8 CP, P P
Ruellia caroliniensis Carolina Wild Petunia 24 10 H M M H H L 6 to 10 CP, P P -10
Salvia nemorosa Woodland Sage 24 <18 H L H H H L 4 to 8 CP, P P May struggle in NC heat
Scabiosa columbaria Pincushion FLer 18 7 H L L H H L 5 to 9 CP, P P
Scutellaria incana var. punctata Downy skullcap 36 <18 H L L H H L 5 to 8 CP, P P
Sedum kamtschaticum Stonecrop 6 <18 H L H H H L 3 to 8 CP, P P
Sedum rupestre/reflexum Reflex Stonecrop 6 <18 H L H H H L 5 to 9 CP, P P
Sedum tetractinum Chinese Sedum 4 <18 H L ? H H L 5 to 8 CP, P P
Sedum/Hylotelephium spectabile 'Autumn
Joy' Autumn Joy Sedum 24 15 H L H H H L 4 to 9 CP, P P
Silene virginica Firepink 20 <18 H M L H L Medium Short 4 to 8 CP, P P
Sisyrinchium angustifolium Blue-eyed Grass 24 9 L M L H M Medium Short 4 to 9 CP, P P -3
Solidago caesia Blue-stemmed
Goldenrod 36 <18 H L L H H L Short 4 to 8 CP, P P -28
Solidago tenuifolia/Euthamia graminifolia Slender Goldenrod 42 <18 M H M M L L 3 to 9 CP, P P
Stokesia laevis Stokes Aster 24 <18 M M L H H L 5 to 9 CP, P P
Symphyotrichum cordifolium Heartleaf Aster 60 10 M M M M M L Short 3 to 8 CP, P P -38
Symphyotrichum ericoides Heath Aster 36 <18 H L M H L L 3 to 10 CP, P P
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae New England Aster 60 <18 L H H M H Medium 4 to 8 CP, P P
Symphyotrichum oblongifolium Aromatic Aster 36 15 H L H H H Medium 3 to 8 CP, P P Vernonia noveboracensis New York Ironweed 79 >6 M M None H H L Short 5 to 9 CP, P P -33 Wide rane of soils
Plant Recommendations for Landfills 1
INTRODUCTION
The intent of this report is to provide a list of plant materials that can be used as alternatives to manicured grasses for
pre-regulatory landfill sites to be used as parks. Plants exhibit the following characteristics:
•Suitable for landfill containment / provides stabilization
•Locally hardy to the Piedmont Region of North Carolina and/or native
•Non-invasive / non exotic or intrusive
•Root depth no greater than 18”
•Drought and pest tolerant
•Can withstand extreme weather events
•No height greater than 24” at maturity for woody vegetation
•No root runner to extend greater than 6” in depth
SOIL PREPARATION
The minimum soil depth for areas that will be seeded, planted with grasses, or groundcovers should be 18”.
Adequate drainage is important. The soil specifications should include a drainage layer of gravelly sand, a substrate
of loamy coarse sand followed by a layer of topsoil. Care should be taken to ensure soil is not compacted.
Compacted soil will inhibit root growth and negatively impact the health of plant material. To avoid compaction, final
grading should not be completed unless soil is dry. A 6” minimum drainage layer should be used. The minimum soil
depth does not include this drainage layer.
Plant material should be chosen based on the maintenance plans and budget for specific projects. Remediation
projects typically require more maintenance to get plant material established.
PLANTS
The following list includes plant materials that exhibit the characteristics identified above:
Plant Recommendations for Landfills 2
Grasses
Botanical Name Common Name Mature Height Light Req.Notes
Agrostis perennans Autumn Bentgrass 3.5’Sun / Part Shade
Bouteloua curtipendula Side Oats Grama 2’ - 3’ with bloom Sun
Bouteloua gracilis Blue Grama Grass 1’Sun
Carex bicknellii Bicknell’s Sedge 3’Sun / Part shade
Chasmanthium latifolium Inland River Oats 4’-5’Sun / Shade
Deschampsia cepitosa ‘Goldtau’Golden Dew Tufted Hair Grass 1’-2’ with bloom Sun
Deschampsia flexuosa Crinkled Hair Grass 1.5’-2’ with bloom Shade / Part Sun
Elymus virginicus Virginia Wild Rye 3-4’ with bloom Sun / Part shade
Festuca brevipila ‘Chariot’Hard Fescue 12”Sun
Festuca ovina ‘Whisper’Sheeps Fescue 12”Sun
Festuca rubra Creeping Red Fescue 8”-12”Sun / Part shade
Koeleria macrantha June Grass 1.5’-2’ with bloom Sun
Muhlenbergia capillaris Pink Muhly Grass 3’ - 4’ with bloom Sun
Nassella tenuissima Mexican Feather Grass 2’Sun non-native
Poa pratensis Kentucky Bluegrass 3’Sun non-native
Trifolium pratense Red Clover 2’-3’Sun non-native
Plant Recommendations for Landfills 3
Perennials
Botanical Name Common Name Mature Height Light Req.Notes
Achillea millefolium Yarrow 24”Sun
Coreopsis verticillata Tickseed 12”Sun
Echinacea purpurea after midnight Emily Saul Coneflower 12”Sun
Echinacea purpurea Big Sky Sunset Big Sky Sunset Coneflower 24”Sun
Echinacea purpurea Harvest Moon Harvest Moon Coneflower 24”Sun
Echinacea purpurea ‘Kims Knee High’Dwarf Purple Coneflower 24”Sun
Echinacea x ‘Mango Meadowbrite’Mango Meadowbrite Coneflower 2’Sun
Eupatorium dubium’Baby Joe’Dwarf Joe Pye Weed 2.5’Sun
Monarda didyma Balmy Pink Balmy Pink Bee Balm 12”Sun
Monarda x ‘Mahogany’Bee Balm 36”Sun
Rudbeckia fulgida v. sullivantii Black-eyed Susan 24”Sun
Sedum reflexum ‘Blue Spruce’Sedum 4”-6”Sun
Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’Stone Crop 4”-6”Sun
Sedum tectractinum Stone Crop 4”-6”Sun
Sedum x ‘Autumn Joy’ Autumn Joy Sedum 2’Sun
Plant Recommendations for Landfills 4
Seed Mixes
Seed Mix name Where seedm mix can be found Seeding Rate
ERNMX-186 Ernst Seed 6lbs per 1,000 sf
ERNMX-186-1 Ernst Seed 6lbs per 1,000 sf
Customn Seed Mix 2 lbs per 1,000 sf
20% Crinnkled Hair Grass (Deschampsia flexuosa)
8% Red Clover (Trifolium pretense)
10% Creeping Red Fescue (Festuca rubra)
20% Virginia Wildrye, (Elymus virginicus)
20% Sideoats Grama, ‘Butte’ (Bouteloua curtipendula, ‘Butte’)
5% Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea ‘Kims Knee High’)
5% Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
3% Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
2% Ohio Spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis)
2% Tickseed (Coreopsis verticillata)
2% Smooth Blue Aster (Aster laevis)
2% Bee Balm (Monarda x ‘Mahogany’)
1% Dwarf Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium dubium ‘Baby Joe’)
INVASIVE PLANTS TO AVOID
The following list includes plant materials that exhibit the characteristics identified above:
• Lespedeza
• Bermuda grass
• Canada thistle
• Mimosa
• Privet
• Wild Sugarcane
• Serrated tussock
• Mission grass
• Microstegium (Bamboo Grass)
• Cattails
RESOURCE LINKS
The following list includes websites that can be used as resources:
• http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/groundcover-selection.shtml
• http://www.ncwildflower.org/
• http://www.waste360.com/%5Bprimary-term%5D/landfill-revegetation-hidden-assets
• https://www.invasive.org/species/list.cfm?id=21
Plant Recommendations for Landfills 5
GRASSES
Bouteloua curtipendula - Side Oats
Grama1
Bouteloua gracilis - Blue Grama
Grass1
Chasmanthium latifolium - Inland
River Oats1
Deschampsia cepitosa ‘Goldtau’ -
Golden Dew Tufted Hair Grass1
Deschampsia flexuosa - Crinkled Hair
Grass1
Eragrostis elliotii ‘Wind Dancer’ -
Wind Dancer Love Grass1
Elymus virginicus - Virginia Wild Rye1
Carex bicknelli - Bicknell Sedge1
Agrostis perennans - Autumn
Bentgrass5
Plant Recommendations for Landfills 6
GRASSES - continued
Festuca ovina ‘Whisper’ -
Sheeps Fescue2
Festuca rubra - Creeping
Red Fescue2
Koeleria macrantha - June Grass1 Muhlenbergia capillaris - Pink Muhly
Grass1
Nassella tenuissima - Mexican
Feather Grass1
Poa pratensis - Kentucky
Bluegrass2
Festuca brevipila ‘Chariot’ -
Hard Fescue2
Trifolium pratense - Red
Clover2
Plant Recommendations for Landfills 7
PERENNIALS
Achillea millefolium - Yarrow3 Coreopsis verticillata - Tickseed3
Echinacea purpurea after midnight
‘Emily Saul’ - Emily Saul Coneflower3
Echinacea purpurea Big Sky Sunset -
Big Sky Sunset Coneflower3
Echinacea purpurea Harvest Moon -
Harvest Moon Coneflower3
Echinacea purpurea ‘Kims Knee High’
- Dwarf Purple Coneflower3
Echinacea x ‘Mango Meadowbrite’ -
Mango Meadowbrite Coneflower3
Eupatorium dubium ’Baby Joe’ -
Dwarf Joe Pye Weed3
Coreopsis verticillata - Tickseed3
Plant Recommendations for Landfills 8
PERENNIALS - continued
Monarda didyma Balmy Pink - Balmy
Pink Bee Balm4
Monarda x ‘Mahogany’ - Bee Balm3
Sedum reflexum ‘Blue Spruce’ -
Sedum3
Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’ - Stone
Crop3
Sedum tectractinum - Stone Crop3
Sedum x ‘Autumn Joy’ - Autumn Joy
Sedum3
Rudbeckia fulgida v. sullivantii
‘Goldstrum’- Black-eyed Susan3
Plant Recommendations for Landfills 9
Image Credits:
1 Image by Hoffman Nursery via http://hoffmannursery.com/
2 Image by USDA via https://plants.usda.gov/java/
3 Image by Pender Nursery via http://www.pendernursery.com/
4 Image by Emerald Coast Growers via http://www.ecgrowers.com/Monarda-p/1411.htm
5 Image by Agriculture Victoria via http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/farm-management/pastures/what-is-bent-
grass
2 | TASK ORDER 679MIS - PLANT LIST
The following report outlines suitable vegetation options for landscaping closed landfills
developed as parks. Plants included in the report are non-invasive, hardy substitutes for the
standard lawn. Suitable plants for the site must thrive in a coastal plain ecosystem and meet the
following requirements:
Root depth no greater than 18” at maturity
Prevents soil erosion
Not an exotic intrusive species
Drought and pest resistant
Can withstand extreme weather events
No height greater than 24” at maturity for any woody vegetation
No root runner that extends to a depth greater than 6”
Stabilizing the landfill surface and prevent runoff are the important concerns when revegetating
a landfill site. Typically, trees and shrubs’ root systems cause concern with damaging the
surface of the containment system, therefore, vegetation with shallower root systems like
grasses and perennials are better options. By utilizing native plants, a hardy, low maintenance,
drought resistant landscape is established and simultaneously beautifies the landfill. The native
plants over time develop into a self-sustaining ecosystem and eliminate the need for fertilizers,
pesticides and irrigation.
The following list of plants meet the criteria described above and are suitable for a coastal
environment. All plants included in the list are North Carolina natives.
3 | TASK ORDER 679MIS - PLANT LIST
Proper soil preparation will influence the success of planting. Optimum soil depth for planting is
18-24”. Prior to planting, the soil should be prepared to have a healthy layer of topsoil. Soil
should be tested for pH, nitrogen, phosphorus and other nutrients. Soil should be amended
accordingly up to a 6” depth and within a few weeks of planting. Soil amendments should be
performed no closer than one week from planting.
It is important to avoid soil compaction, as it will hinder plant development. Upon planting, initial
plantings of rapid growth annual or perennial grasses should be used to prevent soil erosion.
The following plants exhibit the characteristics listed above but should be avoided due to their
classification as exotic invasives:
Alternanthera philoxeroides (Alligatorweed)
Hedera helix (English Ivy)
Microstegium vimineum (Trin.) A. Camus (Japanese stilt-grass)
Arthraxon hispidus (Thunb.) Makino (Hairy jointgrass)
Miscanthus sinensis Andersson (Chinese silver grass)
Vinca minor L. (Common periwinkle)
Ajuga reptans L. (Bugleweed)
Chrysanthemum leucanthemum L. (Ox-eye Daisy)
4 | TASK ORDER 679MIS - PLANT LIST
Clethra alnifolia
‘Hummingbird’*
Sweet
Pepperbush
2-3’ Sun-Partial
Shade
Itea virginica
‘Little Henry’**
Virginia
Sweetspire
3’ Sun-Partial
Shade
Yucca
filamentosa***
Adam’s Needle 2’ Sun
All pictures obtained from Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, http://www.wildflower.org/
unless otherwise noted.
*http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/plants/landscape/shrubs/hgic1090.html
** https://www.ces.ncsu.edu/files/library/71/Natives%20NCMGVA%20Conf.pdf
*** http://www.thedangergarden.com/2013/02/another-yucca-filamentosa-is-my.html
5 | TASK ORDER 679MIS - PLANT LIST
Andropogon
virginicus
Broomsedge
bluestem
2-4’ Partial Shade
Elymus
virginicus
Virginia
Wildrye
3’ Shade tolerant
Muhlenbergia
capillaris
Pink Muhly
Grass
3-4’ Full Sun
Panicum
anceps*
Beaked
Panicgrass
2-4’ 30-35% shade/
Very adaptable
6 | TASK ORDER 679MIS - PLANT LIST
Panicum
virgatum
Switchgrass 3-6’ Sun/Partial
Shade
Sorghastrum
nutans
Indiangrass 3-5’ Full sun-Full
shade
Schizachyrium
scoparium
Little
Bluestem
18” Full sun
All pictures obtained from Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, http://www.wildflower.org/
unless otherwise noted.
*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panicum_anceps#/media/File:Panicum_anceps.jpg
7 | TASK ORDER 679MIS - PLANT LIST
Ampelaster
carolinianus
Climbing
Aster
3-4’ Sun
Achillea
millefolium
Common
yarrow
3’ Sun/Partial
Shade
Coreopsis
verticillata
Tickseed 1-2’ Sun/Partial
Shade
Gaillardia
aestivalis var.
aestivalis
Lanceleaf
blanketflower
2’ Partial Shade
8 | TASK ORDER 679MIS - PLANT LIST
Monarda
didyma
Scarlet
Beebalm
2-4’ Sun/Partial
Shade
Penstemon
australis
Eustis Lake
Beardtongue
1-2’ Partial Shade
Rudbeckia hirta Blackeyed
Susan
3.5’ Sun
Silene virginica
Fire Pink 1’ Partial Shade
Vernonia
noveboracensis
New York
Ironweed
5-8’ Sun
All pictures obtained from Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, http://www.wildflower.org/
unless otherwise noted.
9 | TASK ORDER 679MIS - PLANT LIST
EOL Encyclopedia of Life
http://eol.org/
Incorporating NC Native Plants into your Landscape. NC Cooperative Extension
https://www.ces.ncsu.edu/files/library/71/Natives%20NCMGVA%20Conf.pdf
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
https://www.wildflower.org/plants-main
North Carolina Native Plant Society
http://ncwildflower.org/native_plants/recommendations
North Carolina Regional Vegetation
http://www.ncpedia.org/vegetation#coastalplain
Revegetating Landfills and Waste Containment Areas Fact Sheet. National Service Center for
Environmental Publications (NSCEP). 2006.
https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPURL.cgi?Dockey=600003T6.txt
USDA Coastal & Shoreline
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_PLANTMATERIALS/publications/mdpmcsr11767.pdf
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Plants Database
https://plants.usda.gov/java/