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.

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

Your pics look very similar to my back yard! We have to get more gravel this year too. Ornamental grasses, bigger rocks(they don't cost much), SHREDDED pine mulch and day lillies. Water the hill at a flat setting on the nozzle. Get that ornamental grass and day lillies in fast though. Man, you can get some bad summer storms and you will have erosion on the sides, you need roots in there tomorrow. There are grasses that prefer shadier conditions, and even some bamboo that are dwarfs, short, that will do an excellent job for you taming that hill. Good Luck! It's alot of work!

One that seems ideal for a dry, erosion prone slope, with Sun, is the Perennial Pea, of the species latifolia. I grow only the form called 'White Pearl'. It is super easy from seed and has covered a local railroad siding for many years. The tangle is dense and about two feet deep, and seems in bloom for months. Not so nice in Winter. And some of the taller Sedums seem ideal also, although only a few species might look good in Winter. With such a spot, myself, I would be pleased with any creeping evergreen and they come in various shades of green, gray green, blue green. Them with some mixed in daylily or Rudbeckia would look good.