Many different species of plants can be planted via hydroseedixing a slope, but such mixes aren't typically using the same sorts of plants most often used as ground covers planted as rooted cuttings from flats/4" pots/one gallan cans. Hydroseeding still requires certain procedures and follow up care and watering/maintenance to be successful. If you were to plant fast growing wide spreading more shrubby plants to cover your slope, it may be competitive price-wise and give you more options of plant types. You may find it worthwhile to hire a landscape architect/landscape designer/landscape contractor to meet with you on-site, review your conditions/expectations/budget and advise you what makes the most sense for your yard. There are always trade-offs for any approach, and hydroseeding may/may not be a good option for you.

I have been doing a lot of research on plants that don't need a lot of water since we bought a 3 acre property in lake mathews, ca. Here's what I have so far...verbena rigida, creeping raspberry...both spread very fast and require little water. I will be buying these for our slopes. delosperma cooperi is similar to ice plant but very hardy and does not require as much water.... Ice plant requires a lot of water and its heavy. That is what we have currently and we will be replacing it with what I have written here. All our slopes have ice plant and we are trying to save water costs. So I will be adding those ground covers and adding water wise bushes and other plants. Snow in summer also sounds like a good plant to add. They say it spreads fast and it's very nice... I also want to add fremontodendron, it looks like a nice bush to add...since we have so much room... Any other ideas?

Hi there, You just described one of my hillsides here in the sf bay area, right down to the old Montery Pine trees and horrible packed clay soil underneath that few things will grow in, and a previous owner who actually thought ICE PLANT would survive on a full-western exposure sloped hill. So we have a couple patches of this ice plant that clings to the hill, blooms a couple weeks a year, and the rest of it annual dry grasses (read: weeds) that either get weed whacked or pulled by hand in the spring after the risk of a mudslide is past. (Our hill isn't that big so hand weeding isn't impossible.) We just repaired the retaining wall for this hill, which means our next project will be to finally plant something there to keep the soil from eroding that won't need to get whacked each spring. Our landscaper recommended 2 plants: manzanita creeper, and a low-creeping ceanothus, I think it's called Carmel something. I think both are drought tolerant and natives. And low to the ground. Another thing that grows well on our hill but seems to do better when it has partial shade is vinca minor. It grows really well in moderately shaded areas. It's also deer proof. And finally, one thing that grows well here, even right below the pine tree right under where all the pine needles fall, is juniper. It's not as pretty, but it sure as heck holds the hill. Have you gone to your local independent nursery? Tell them what you're working with in terms of your slope and soil and that you need a good ground cover... they'll steer you to something(s) that will grow well in your own little microclimate. Take advantage of their expertise, and then once you have the names of the plants you want you can start sourcing them out at the best prices. Good luck, -kristi

If you live in New York as suggested in your name, you might want to search on cliffandjoann. They built a stunningly beautiful pond and have explained the details. They say that some of their plants are in pots. I use impatiens and am under the impression that they will grow without much actual soil. It is certainly true for water cress (from the grocery store) anchored directly in flowing water. For something larger, sweet flag will certainly work. You can also use vines or other plants growing beside or near the area. You can also add logs or other natural materials for interest and coverage.