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Australian Native Plants

planting on a steep slope

18 years ago

Hi

I don't know what to do with a steep sloped bed right at the entrance to my house. It is a very steep slope. (The house is several split levels). There are Grevillea poorinda royal mantle which are frankly not doing too well as it doesn't get enough sun. They were there when I bought the house a year ago and although I prune they are pretty scrappy. There are several large sandstone rocks, one of which the house is built on. I am looking for suggestions of ground covers I suppose, that will survive in shade and extremely good drainage.(or dry conditions). I have some Myoporum parvifolum, but am not sure of the shade situation. I was also considering pandorea to sprawl down the slope, but maybe that just wants to grow up?

I am stumped, and would love any suggestions. If I can work out how to post a photo I will do so soon.

A

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Comments (6)

aeor
Original Author
18 years ago
Forgot to mention, I am in Northern Sydney, sandstone slopes, light frosts in winter. A south facing slope, that does receive a bit of sun in summer for a couple of hours at midday. In winter, pretty much full shade.
I know this is probably more of a landscaping question, but any suggestions would be a thrill.
A
Frank_S
18 years ago
Hello A.,

I have successfully grown the following spreading plants in mostly shade:
Austromyrtus dulcis,
Goodenia (can't remember the actual species)
Weevil lily (it spreads by suckering - this is very attractive when covering a broad area, it's fascinating to watch them all sway in the breeze)
Grevillea lanigera (though only a relatively small plant)

Other attractive plants I have tried that do well in shade:
Syzygium wilsonii
some correa, westringia, and prostanthera species

Plants I have not tried but I understand do well in shade:
Plectranthus argentatus
some Hibbertia species (I have Hibbertia scandens in partial shade but this is not the same)

The following link and the other one attached might provide some guidance, but note that they list shade-tolerant species, not shade-loving species, so beware:

http://www.ilda.com.au/page/drought_tolerant.html

Good luck,
Frank

Here is a link that might be useful: SA shade tolerant plants
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In the South, Semi-dwarf fruiting rootstock is more common especially locally. You can prune fruit to whatever size you like to keep canopy low and small but you also need to ensure then that you prune to a more open canopy as fruit cut low tends to make dense foliage (when then causes low fruiting due to shade). You are late for fruit planting now. Most nurseries have put their fruit stock into dormancy through cold storage. I like Johnsons, there is also Lawson's Applies, for bare root you can try Isons but I've been none too thrilled with them. Figs on a slope would work fine. You can probably find a fig that will do well at a local flea market or store. I do not recommend buying fruit from a "big box" store because it is not necessarily grown on root stock for the South and you don't always know if it's a good cultivar for your location. Johnson's has a good website, and I suggest searching for the Atlanta Fruits yahoo group and joining to ask questions. Loads of great advice there. Far more knowledgeable than I am! Also good to consider are pomegranates and pineapple guava. They don't get to giant.
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I've been mulling over how to plant something on my steep slope. I have been looking at these plant pockets made for vertical walls: http://www.amazon.com/Vertical-Garden-Planter-Single-Pocket/dp/B00HRVVI5G/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1421252701&sr=8-9&keywords=woolly+pockets and wonder if anyone has tried these out. I think they could give the plant time to put out roots into the slope. Maybe poke some holes in the back of the pocket which lies against the slope so roots can find their way into the dirt. TIA Cheryl
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Although boring as heck, groundcover or carpet junipers fit the bill perfectly. Very tolerant of poor soils (as long as drainage is good) and thrive in full sun and heat. Also quite drought tolerant once established. And tend to be unappealing to deer or other munching wildlife. Look at cultivars of Juniperus procumbens or horizontalis. And you can get some variation in appearance by mixing up foliage colors - they come in shades of green, blue and gold. I would also lay down geotextile (jute netting) before planting - which should be done asap before fall/winter rains - to hold the slope in place while the junipers establish and spread both roots and top growth.
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gardenlen
18 years ago
g'day A,

sweet potatoes there ya go get something to eat and a good ground cover to boot.

len

mail len

lens garden page
User
18 years ago
Hardenbergia will grow as a ground cover. You can get the common purple one or pink or white. It is hardy and will even flower in the shade.
Cheers,
Dee.
Robert_NSW
18 years ago
I have a steep sloping site on the Central Coast and have selectively planted a lot of different natives. In the smaller gaps between the rocks I have planted a mix of native grasses, mainly different Lomandras and Dianellas.

As for the grasses, at the base of the slope where it is likely to be damper I have planted L. hystrix, L. 'Tanika' and a few others. As it gets dryer further up the slope, I have planted L.'Tanika'and L. longifolia.

I have also dispersed the following shrubs as well; Syzygiums such as S. luehmanii, S. australe "Pink Cascade' and others. These have been planted in areas where there is some residual moisture. You are likely to find residual moisture at the base of the rocks. Further up where it dries out more and there is a bit of sun, I have planted Banksias among the Lilly-pillies, such as B. spinulosa, (which happens to be my favourite) B. ericafolia and a few of the cultivars.

Myoporum parvifolium is fine in areas that get limited sun although total shade may be a problem. I find when you plant in areas that provide opportunities for the above varieties of natives you end up with a very attractive natural look.
aeor
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions. The advice has aided and inspired me. This truly is a good resource.
I've spent the day re-landscaping another (yes I have many) sloped sites in my garden with big sandstone rocks. I'm trying to create more pockets of planting opportunity. I have some L. Tanika (probably my favourite plant at the moment) and a spare mint bush (my other favourite plant) which I will incorporate.
Next I will attack the site in question armed with your advice.
Thanks again Frank, Len, Dee and Robert!

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