Ask A Scientist© Botany Archive

name       Joanne
status     other
age        50s

Question - We are an over-55 community located off of a major highway
(I-80) about 25 miles south of Chicago. We have a weed covered berm that
is about 15 ft high running along I-80 between our buildings and the
highway. We are investigating ways to make the berm more attractive.
Some suggestions have included planting ground cover and trees. Can you
recommend vegitation that is controllable and attractive?
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Joanne,

The highway departments here in Pennsylvania plant vetch which is a low
trailing plant having small pink/white flower heads which effectively covers
an area to exclude other plants. It is a perennial which returns and
spreads on its own. It is a difficult plant to walk through as one's foot
tends to get tangled in the plant.

If you are seeking a different appearance, some highways here plant
perennial wildflowers. The appearance is nicer when they are in flower, but
up to that time the appearance is less well kept.

Gook luck with your work, and thanks for using NEWTON!

Ric
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