skip to main content

Ground cover for sunny steep backyard hill

8 years ago

My friend has moved into a new home. She is not a gardener but has a steep hillside backyard. She has planted numerous small trees and some shrubs but wants to also plant a groundcover because of the weeds. Preferably evergreen. Any suggestions. Zone 6.

Comments (10)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
8 years ago
Where exactly in zone 6? Sun or shade? Is water available to the area?
gayestanton
Original Author
8 years ago
E TN. Sun. No water except rain.
Related Discussions
Landscaping steep bowl shaped slope-backyard
Q
Comments (32)
taterville, Things are coming along very nicely. I bet when you were in school you were one of those students that always did your homework; I never did mine. lol Most of your measurements worked fine, but something went wrong with the measurement of point A. That's my fault, not yours; my instructions were not adequate for the task. As we go along, there will be times when you need to mark a place on the ground in a semi-permanent way. Any number of things can be used; stakes, tent pegs, or nails with a ribbon attached. Now let me revisit the location of point A. You will need to place a marker at point A that is at the bottom toe of the slope about mid way in the curved transition between the relative straight line of the toe running behind your house and the straight line of the toe running along the side of your house. Begin at point A and measure along a line parallel to the back of your house to a point that aligns with the back of your house, shown in my graphic as point B. Earlier you gave that distance as 4ft 11 inches. That may have been correct, but because we may now be starting from a new location for A, you will need to repeat this measurement. Now go back to point A and measure parallel to the side of your house to a point that aligns with the back corner of your house shown as point C. Think of the box defined by the the three points and the back corner of your house as a rectangle. It is the width and length of this rectangle we seek. You did not give a distance from point E to F and I assume that the slope is just too long and slick to make the measurement. That's OK, there are other ways to find the location of point F. I'll prepare some instructions on how to go about it. You are getting close to providing the data needed to produce a base map defining the terrain you have. It wont have the precision of that of a professional, but is certainly suitable for planning purposes. The precision can be improved as needed. Taking what can be used from your photos, the survey, and the measurements requested by yardvaark and myself, I have made a drawing. Contours shown are at 1 ft intervals. Scale, small squares equal 2ft. I will add to and make corrections as additional data comes in. Below is a thumbnail. The full sized drawing Is in the optional link. I would invite everyone to use any of the graphics I provide to convey your ideas for the site. Here is a link that might be useful:
...See More
ground cover for huge backyard steep slope
Q
Comments (22)
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?
...See More
VERY steep hill in backyard...need suggestions pls
Q
Comments (9)
The shrubs growing on the slope look that they have been there quite a while and seem to be growing straight up. (Sometimes, if there is a bend like an old-fashioned walking stick handle in the stem near to the ground, that bend can indicate that the land is slumping.) About the tree roots showing: there's not a great deal of topsoil from what I could see so the roots have probably spread out to forage for food and water. A number of tree species have suface roots - some quite gnarled and obvious. Think swamp cypress for a start. Unless the trees are very tall and your local prevailing winds are fierce or unpredictable you aren't likely to get windthrow. On a slope such as yours I'd be looking for grooves cut by runoff from the top as the precursor to shallow gullying - and that didn't seem to be happening. Personally, I wouldn't spend on 'posh plants' for such a slope. I'd ask for 'pioneer-type' shrubs - preferably native to your area. If you have a native plants nursery near you - pick their brains. Grasses, creepers, low-nutrient environment shrubs and sub-shrubs. That soil is obviously not rich - it hasn't been colonised by much at all. If you need clues and there are cuttings at the sides of your roads check there for what will establish and thrive and stay seemly. (No one needs a slope covered in fire risk weeds!) When you visit with the plant place/s ask for SPECIFIC guidance on how to plant up a steep slope. If it has a high clay content - let them know because it will change what they will advise. If there is any better soil available on your lot, and you can spare some - mix it in with the slope soil when planting but don't bother putting in fine compost. All that happens is the plants grow out to the limits of the top grade environment and then either sulk or die. Think about buying your reveg plants in 'root trainer' tubes rather than big cans or baggies. They'll be younger and better equipped to strike out, rootwise. Hear you when you say you're budget-constrained. See if you can legally collect native seedlings of suitable plants, grow them on, then plant out. Sometimes a neighbour can be a good source. Under the bird feeder, in a garden, can be another - but expect a lot of berry-producing plants ;-) And, as the slope is a bit of a challenge - could you devise a ladder to get you upslope for planting? Or a scaffoldiong arrangement. Something with wide enough treads so you don't end up with anguished feet!
...See More
Ground cover for large steep hill
Q
Comments (2)
Im in MI but my neighbor (and I ) have about 2-300 ft of 45 degree bank. Probably about as much as you. My neighbor has pachysandras and they do well and look good. I just have grass and think I prefer it. Grass, just weed and feed and seed. Pachysandra was moisten soil, pick all weeds plant and pay. They are not cheap. Just have to weed it a few times a year. I have to use a weed whipper when ever I feel like it (a few times a year as well I guess). I actually have hostas planted on the last 20 feet or so of the slope. about 40 of them.
...See More
laceyvail 6A, WV
8 years ago
Thymes and or groundcover sedums will do it--S. 'John Creech' is my favorite, but you can use others as well. Groundcover thymes (not available by seed, but a good selection from High Country Gardens.)
Mike McGarvey
8 years ago
The groundcover has to be vigorous enough to suppress the weeds. Thymes and Sedums are too short and slow growing to do the job unless the area is very small.

A thick mulch of woodchips, applied after the ground is wet, would be a nice start. I use hardy Geraniums planted in woodchips.

Mike
pinusresinosa
8 years ago
English Ivy is one that would definitely work. Evergreen, water wise, very vigorous and hardy. If your friend isn't a gardener and just wants that spot covered, basically permanently, this would work. It's pretty affordable in blundles that are shipped as bare root plants, but they take fast and spread. 100 plants will cover 275 square feet right away. You can let them spread from there, or move rooted cuttings as they grow to where ever you want.
Mike McGarvey
8 years ago
Non gardeners are less likely to limit the spread of ivy into the neighbor's yards is a reason it shouldn't be recommended in my opinion.

Mike
pinusresinosa
8 years ago
I understand that. I offered the recommendation based on the apparent needs expressed here. How the friend uses the advice here is up to them. However, English Ivy is easily contained by manual pulling, or using an herbicide specifically for english ivy containingriclopyr ester. Mowing
over it every spring where you don't want it to grow, then applying the
herbicide on the shoots that are left after mowing, will keep it
contained. It's a quick job.
laceyvail 6A, WV
8 years ago
And ivy will climb and smother all the trees and shrubs the gardener has just planted there. If weed suppressing is main concern, the gardener should try Geraniums 'Biokovo' or 'Karmina', both highly weed suppressing, fill in quite well, never invasive, semi-evergreen in my zone at least, and highly deer resistant.
gayestanton
Original Author
8 years ago
Ivy can be a nightmare for everyone involved unless controlled and that would be hard to do on this hillside. I have decided to recommend Rockspray Cotoneasters to fill in. In my own experience I have found if the ground is shaded whether it be by groundcover or dense shrubs, weeds for the most part do not thrive. If it were me I would put lots of daylilys, rudbeckia, spiderwort, gooseneck and cover with lots of color. But alas, I am an avid gardener and she is not. Everyone wants an easy quick fix and as in life it doesn't work that way. Thank you to all for your suggestions. I was hoping someone had a suggestion I had not thought of but it is a difficult space.
josephene_gw
8 years ago
Until your friend finds the right plant, sow crimson clover it

should keep some of the weeds down.

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

GROUND COVERS Ground Force: 10 Top Ground Covers for Your Garden

By Carol Bucknell Garden Design

Protect your soil from weeds and drought this summer with a living mulch of ground covers

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Creeping Juniper Holds Its Ground

By Paintbox Garden

Add texture and evergreen interest to a layered garden with this low-maintenance, good-looking ground cover

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Bouteloua Gracilis

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Resilient blue grama grass thrives in sunny meadows and parking strips in the western U.S.

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Native Ground Covers for Tough, Dry Spots

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Sun beating down on your sandy gravel? Thick shade darkening your clay soil? There’s a ground cover here for you

DECORATING GUIDES See a Seattle-Area Home Steeped in Graciousness

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Brimming with welcoming touches, this condo shows that a home short on space and decorating funds can still go long on personal style

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Garden Levels Transform a Steep Slope in Australia

By Elements of Style

From unusable to incredible, this outdoor area now has tumbled travertine, water features and mod greenery

LANDSCAPE DESIGN How and What to Plant in Dry, Sunny Spots

By Falon Mihalic

Save water and improve your site’s look with these design tips and help from a pro

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Replace Your Lawn With a Garden

By June Scott Design

New project for a new year: Lose the turfgrass for energy savings, wildlife friendliness and lower maintenance

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Sunrose Dazzles on Dry Slopes

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Abundant blooms and attractive foliage make this plant a welcome sight in sunny, well-drained spots

PLANTING IDEAS 8 Design Tricks From Sunny Botanical Gardens

By Steve Asbell

Take a yard from stale to stupendous with ideas from these expertly designed gardens in the U.S. Sunbelt

Sponsored

More Discussions

Replacement for creeping honeysuckle

13