Dune grass at Miller Beach site

For a new residence in Miller Beach, in late 2023 – we installed layers of American beach grass / Marram grass (Ammophila breviligulata), along with snow fencing to act as erosion control, and to help hold the site’s slumping sand, add beauty – and habitat – and help fit the home into its dune environment. (The red snow fencing will be cut back or removed, once the dune grass fills in the site).

Here are some photos of the install, followed by site visits on a sunny day in 2024, revealing how quickly these grasses fill in from their original 12″ spacing.  Marram grass is one of the most important plants on a sand dune.  It spreads quickly due to specialized roots, called rhizomes, that can grow down and sideways through the sand.  We’ll continue to monitor their spread and success in this home’s new landscape.

Installing erosion control on duneland setting

Post install scene of dunegrass planted on 18" centers in sloping sand setting.

Newly-installed dune grass on deeply-sloping sand hill, with erosion control fencing.

Dune grass after only a few months of growth, from Fall 2023 to Spring, 2024.

Dune grass and native dogwood thriving after one year of growth

Dune grass after less than a year of growth