Redstem ceanothus (fig. 9), spirea, and thimbleberry 

 developed well on selected sites, but, overall, plants 

 remained small (table 3). Black chokecherry and Sas- 

 katoon serviceberry exhibited lackluster development. 

 Both plants averaged IV2 to 2 feet (0.5 to 0.6 m) tall 

 except on eastern aspects where some plants reached 

 heights of 3 to 4 feet (0.9 to 1.2 m). No black 

 chokecherry or Saskatoon serviceberry plants reached 

 sizes typical for their species. 



Blackcap plants reached typical size (5- to 7-foot 

 [1.5- to 2.1-m] canes) on some sites. Overall, blackcap 

 did well on south aspects. Other species, except silvery 

 lupine and snowbrush, did not increase in size or vigor. 

 Those few plants of silvery lupine and snowbrush that 

 became established on these slopes did attain typical 

 size. 



Vigor and Natural Spread 



Ground cover and soil stabilization were enhanced 

 when test species spread via vegetative propagation or 

 seedling establishment. Two indices of these attributes 

 were plant flowering and the presence of new plants. 

 The ability to flower and reproduce also indicates good 

 vigor and health. Of the 18 species used during this 

 study. Wood's rose, bush penstemon, and lovely pens- 

 temon excelled in these types of development at most 

 of the planting sites. Wood's rose plants increased by 

 sprouting from the roots, to the extent that it became 

 difficult to distinguish individual plants. The proliferation 

 of flowers (fig. 10) and fruits observed on these plants 

 indicate that establishment of new plants from seed 

 may also occur. 



Bush penstemon and lovely penstemon spread through 

 seedling establishment. Bush penstemon plants on several 

 sites flowered prolifically, displaying attractive lavender 



Figure 9. — A healthy 9-year-old redstem 

 ceanothus plant on this steep south-facing road 

 cut stabilizes the soil and protects the surface. 

 The plant is 4 feet (1.2 m) tall and wide. 



flowers (fig. 6). New bush penstemon plants were 

 discovered on the cuts (fig. 11), in the ditch, and on 

 the shoulder and fill banks across the road from planting 

 sites (where plants were not present prior to planting). 

 Lovely penstemon seedlings were restricted to the cut 

 banks. 



Spirea and blackcap flowered regularly on some 

 planting sites and spread, although to a limited extent. 



Table 3. — Species suitability ratings 





Initial 



Final 







Natural 



Soil 



Composite 



Species 



survival 



survival 1 



Growth 



Vigor 2 



spread 



stabilization 3 



rating 4 



Wood's rose 



9 



9 



9 



8 



10 



10 



55 



Bush penstemon 



6 



9 



10 



10 



10 



8 



53 



Lovely penstemon 



5 



8 



10 



10 



8 



8 



49 



Red-osier dogwood 



10 



10 



8 



9 



2 



8 



47 



Blackcap 



8 



6 



7 



8 



7 



8 



44 



Thimbleberry 



8 



9 



5 



5 



4 



6 



37 



Redstem ceanothus 



5 



6 



8 



7 



2 



8 



36 



Spirea 



6 



9 



5 



4 



5 



4 



33 



Ninebark 



6 



8 



5 



5 







4 



28 



Snowbrush 



2 



4 



6 



6 



2 



8 



28 



Blue elderberry 



10 



3 



2 



5 







6 



26 



Black chokecherry 



7 



8 



2 



2 







2 



21 



Saskatoon serviceberry 



6 



8 



2 



2 







2 



20 



Smooth sumac 



5 



4 



4 



4 







3 



20 



Curl-leaf mountain-mahogany 



4 



2 



4 



5 







4 



19 



Silvery lupine 



1 



5 



5 



3 







2 



17 



Black elderberry 



5 



2 



2 



2 







2 



13 



Ocean-spray 



1 



2 



2 



2 







2 



9 



''Final survival based on percentage of initial survivors alive after 4 years. 

 2 Based on flowering growth rate and appearance. 

 3 Based on root system and observed holding power. 



"Ratings for each factor are based on a scale from to 10. with 10 being the best. 



8 



