Stream Bank Weeds

Question

We have a small stream with steep banks, about 3 feet high. They get overgrown w/ jewelweed and other nasty weeds every year. How can I:

A)safely rid the weeds, and
B)plant some nice, beneficial plants?

Answer 1

I think your best option would be to plant something pretty that would be as tough as the weeds are and will eventually push them out. Creeping juniper (also called vinca minor) is a popular choice. Your only other option, other than spraying with chemical herbicide would be to hand-pull. You would need to pull the jewelweed before it blooms to avoid spreading more seeds.