native plants for steep slopes

The trickiest part of the landscape is when there is a slope. Please enable Cookies and reload the page. Clumping plants, which produce several stems from one root, also work well. I have several steep slopes on the cleared one acre which are covered in fescue lawn grass. A mixed planting of native grasses, herbaceous and woody ground covers, shrubs and trees, if space allows, is the best strategy for slope stabilization. Low-growing groundcover plants are best to maintain soil stability and minimise erosion. This work by Sound Native Plants Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons WA SOUNDNPBL OR LCB Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives . A trace of runoff from native plant covered slopes. Planting on steep slopes may be regulated, so check with your local government. However, replacing established turf is no small feat. Choose locally native, evergreen plants. Perhaps the most challenging landscaping problem is that of what to plant on a steep slope. Groundcovers are low-growing plants that spread quickly, form a dense cover and help prevent soil erosion. Turf grass is one of the most popular ground covers for keeping soil in place, but mowing on an incline is inconvenient at best and possibly downright dangerous! Completing the CAPTCHA proves you are a human and gives you temporary access to the web property. Ground cover plants provide an inexpensive and easily maintained solution to erosion problems on slopes, along roadways, and on construction sites - any place where disturbed or exposed soil is present. Weeping lovegrass is tough, wiry and needs no mowing, so it is perfect for steep slopes where maintenance is a problem. Creeping Raspberry. The turf could be killed but left in place to stabilize the slope while the new replacement plants establish. These slopes are too steep to mow. Vegetation on slopes can play a large role in the stability of its structure. They remove water from the soil and carry it up into their tissues and release it as water vapor into the air (evapotranspiration). Periodic mowing may be needed to control growth and keep woody shrubs and trees from becoming established. Bright yellow flowers appear in spring and early summer when planted in full sun. Ostrich Fern. If your gardens has steep banks and slopes, choosing the right plants, planting and maintaining them can be challenging for even the most experienced gardeners. Slopes require plants that can establish quickly, tolerant of fluctuating soil moisture and potentially poor nutrient availability, and require little care once established. The trickiest part of the landscape is when there is a slope. (30) 352-122 www.soundnativeplants.com PO Box 505, Olympia WA 850 Fax (30) 8-000 ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION SPECIALISTS PLANTS FOR STEEP SLOPES/SOIL EROSION … I live on a hill and have lot's of steep slope to plant on in both shade, part shade and sun. Hypericum can reach 1 to 2 feet in height. One of the best ways to control erosion with native plants on a steep slope is to plant it solidly with California lilac (Ceanothus.) Steep banks and slopes are particularly challenging for most gardeners. See more ideas about Plants, Landscape design, Landscaping a slope. The scale-like foliage grows by sending out long trailing branches, making it an excellent choice for covering steep hillsides. Rain tends to run quickly off sloping sites, leaving little time for the water to soak down into the soil. Steep banks and slopes. Cloudflare Ray ID: 607e647bf877df63 Creeping Junipers . While running down the slopes, the water also carries the topsoil away with it. You often can just spread the fiber apart to dig the hole instead of having to cut it. The Best Plants for a Slope. When planted on steep hills as a ground cover, it usually grows to be about 9-inches tall. A jute netting erosion blanket helps to keep soil in place, but makes it a little more difficult for planting. Although growing plants on a hillside can be a challenge, once established they can transform the area and help keep soil from slowly weeping down into the flatter parts of the terrain. Based on a work at soundnativeplants.com. If you prefer a more natural look, plant wildflowers and native grasses on slopes. In late fall, we applied Roundup to the whole area with our ATV sprayer attachment. If you are at an office or shared network, you can ask the network administrator to run a scan across the network looking for misconfigured or infected devices. Often difficult to access, poor and sandy, they are prone to erosion, soil drying and tend to be overrun with weeds. Can you suggest some plants that will flourish while helping to control erosion? Why should you plant a California native plant community on the slope and not grass or ice plant! I looked at my sister. Birds and butterflies flock to areas with native plantings. Creeping Raspberry is a fast growing ground cover but not invasive. Notes: native throughout the state but more abundant west … Four great evergreen choices for a sunny area are Myoporum parvifolium, Rosmarinus officinalis "prostratus," Lippia repens, and Baccharis pilularis. Learn about the specific plants that do well on a hill or incline so you can achieve success on a gardening slope. Plants for Steep Slopes Perhaps the most challenging landscaping problem is that of what to plant on a steep slope. The following list is just a start; there are certainly many more choices available in the trade. They wanted to plant flowers, but did not want to struggle with weeding and mowing around flower beds on the large, sloping space. May 17, 2014 - Arrange plants in staggered rows on slopes where erosion may occur, and use drip irrigation (I prefer in-line) on the uphill sides of the plants. You’re likely looking for small plants for filling this rather tall order! These tough shrubs sneak their way down a hill with their bright green foliage while preventing erosion of the soil. The Westringia genus has a lot of low-growing varieties that require little to no maintenance, and they flower all year round. Coastal rosemary is a native Australian plant and landscaping favorite. Virginia Wildrye Elymus virginicus. Plants for Steep Slopes . Planting them up with the right plants can be a great long term solution. John decides to use some native plants to bind the slope together. You may also want to check out our list for sunny slopes.. Got slope? An added bonus is that deer won’t eat it. Seeds will need to be planted in cleared ground or within openings in killed turf. He uses a selection of local indigenous plants suitable for local rainfall. California native plants beautify and strengthen steep slopes. Gardening on steep slopes can be challenging, but locally native evergreen foundation plants, properly irrigated, can create a garden that provides erosion control and year round beauty. Our native plants have evolved to grow in impoverished soil and some species just cannot cope with rich garden soil. Do your homework – assess the planting site and your wish list for plant character such as flowers, foliage height, color or texture; set your budget; develop a planting plan and choose a reliable plant vendor. The good news is that once you know which plants grow on slopes, you can use this knowledge to your benefit to plan a garden that both thrives and helps stabilize the hillside. Rain tends to run quickly off sloping sites, leaving little time for the water to soak down into the soil. The slope made the view from the house beautiful, but as with all steep slopes, it made mowing difficult. Your local native plant vendor can recommend even more great native plants to help you with your slope planting project! If you have an extremely steep slope, you may want to consult a professional who specializes in slope stabilization. 1. Many ground covers are available for slopes, including plants for full sun, part sun and all shade. Slopes require plants that can establish quickly, tolerant of fluctuating soil moisture and potentially poor nutrient availability, and require little care once established. When choosing native plants for erosion control, look for those that are indigenous to your area and will thrive in your local climate. Planting trees on slopes tends to be tricky, because soil becomes unstable when it's disturbed by running water, wind and gravity. Messages: 6 Likes Received: 1 Location: West Vancouver . Roots spread quickly to cover bare, shady slopes with elegant 3-foot-tall, vase-shaped plants. How do I plant on steep slopes? Check on local ordinances dealing with unmowed areas. Plus, trees and shrubs on steep hillsides can help keep slopes from sliding. This low, spreading, evergreen shrub reaches one to 2 feet tall and spreads three to 4 feet wide in just a season or two. I personally prefer slopes to a flat "green-lawn-man" type of garden. Virtually all species and selections of ceanothus are recommended for erosion control. Mowing and watering a sloped yard or garden is a challenge but some plants thrive on a slope. It is well worth investing in, and using, an NPK soil testing kit before ordering your Meadowmat. For a dry slope that's difficult to water choose plants that cope in dry conditions. 30-75% of all rainfall on grass- covered slopes ran off. For fastest results, choose plants that spread quickly, either by underground suckering, by stolons, or by self-seeding (such as Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland Sea Oats) or Packera aurea (Golden Ragwort)). © 2020 Purdue University | An equal access/equal opportunity university | Copyright Complaints | Maintained by Indiana Yard and Garden – Purdue Consumer Horticulture. Coast aster is a good variety for the west coast residents. Cyanea heluensis is related to other native plants known as hāhā, but has unique leaves and gently curved, long, white flowers. Growing plants and shrubs on a slope is a difficult task due to erosion. A number of woody plants can also serve as good groundcovers, especially creeping juniper, fragrant sumac, bearberry, and Russian arborvitae. There are a number of plant options that offer a lower maintenance alternative to a mowed lawn. Steep banks and slopes are particularly challenging for most gardeners. Discussion in 'Pacific Northwest Native Plants' started by Raeanne Steele, Apr 20, 2020. Deep-rooted plants, such as prairie plants, hold their own on even the steepest slope. Hypericum Calycinum St. John's Wort. Some nurseries feature blends for slope stabilization. Groundcover plants are available in a number of different varieties, colors and shapes. And no mowing is required! California native plants beautify and strengthen steep slopes. Native plants for steep slopes Asked March 29, 2018, 3:26 PM EDT My home is located on 1 cleared acre surrounded by six heavily treed virgin natural hardwood forested acres. Ice plants (Malephora) are perennial groundcovers, native to South Africa, that grow in numerous climates. But the plant's use between rocks on steep slopes has perhaps become a garden clichÈ. Once established, these natural plantings can provide season long color, food, and shelter for birds and butterflies. • The average DIY'er is quite capable of making terraces via small stone retaining walls on a gradual slope, but, for steep slopes in imminent danger of eroding, the job is best left to pros. Creeping Juniper. Steep banks and slopes. Choosing plants for slopes . Planting seeds will generally be less expensive than started plants, but plants often will establish cover more quickly than seed. Check on local ordinances dealing with unmowed areas. Growing attractive plants on uneven ground can be a challenge for home gardeners, as slopes and hillsides are difficult to tend. Native Plants for Shady Slopes Protecting a shady slope is different than protecting a sunny slope. It also shouts when it blooms in late spring and early summer: The flowers are almost too vivid to enjoy, especially in the bright, midday sun. The soil is very loose. In the case of sprawling shrubs, the plants may be as tall as knee height, but their prostrate nature means that the plant is wider than it is tall and is therefore able to give significant protection to the soil below it. Your IP: 165.22.220.151 Landscapers use the plant in a variety of ways including slopes and along highways. Hypericum can reach 1 to 2 feet in height. It can be somewhat aesthetically pleasing but is also useful where looks are not important. Raeanne Steele New Member. Temporary living mulch such as annual rye or wheat can be used to provide quick cover of the ground but will then die back as the permanent plantings get established. Red flowering currant, serviceberry, Indian plum and native roses are slope-stabilization workhorses. The host plant for pearl crescent and silvery checkerspot butterflies and loved by honey bees. Slopes require plants that can establish quickly, tolerant of fluctuating soil moisture and potentially poor nutrient availability, and require little care once established. Another grassy plant that works very well in the Southeast and is one of the very best erosion control plants for slopes is weeping lovegrass. The plan below frames the existing view, and adds a beautiful landscape to help hold the slope and attract wildlife. The following information is a rough guide for installing Geotextile, the matting commonly used for stabilising slopes. In addition to appropriate plant selection, nonplant features such as terracing, boulders and retaining walls may be options to consider. This can be low ground hugging plants like the native violet or a sprawling shrub like a prostrate grevillea. Mass planting can look fantastic on a slope, but a monoculture can be difficult to achieve. Hi, all, I'm doing some volunteer landscaping at a local high school, and would like to transform a large, long, steep slope into an example of sustainable landscaping by using low-maintenance, native and xeric plants. May 17, 2014 - Arrange plants in staggered rows on slopes where erosion may occur, and use drip irrigation (I prefer in-line) on the uphill sides of the plants. The site is currently a devil's lair of weeds, including bittersweet, crown vetch, bindweed, garlic mustard, and hundreds of others. Ornamental grasses, ground cover roses and shrubs (including shrub roses with a sprawling growth habit) work well in hillside and slope planting. Myoporum parvifolium. Indiana Yard and Garden – Purdue Consumer Horticulture -, Indiana Yard and Garden – Purdue Consumer Horticulture, Department of Horticulture & Landscape Architecture, Horticulture & Landscape Architecture, 625 Agriculture Mall, West Lafayette, IN 47907, An equal access/equal opportunity university. The plan below frames the existing view, and adds a beautiful landscape to help hold the slope and attract wildlife. I don't have all fast growing plants , but here are some that are. In most cases, planting native plants by hand does not require a permit. Choose locally native, evergreen plants. Soil Requirements: moist to dry. With luck, your efforts will prevent any future loss of life or property. In addition to site conditions such as sun exposure, soil condition, soil moisture, existing cover and degree of slope, plant selection will largely depend on size of area to be planted and, of course, your budget. Planting trees on slopes tends to be tricky, because soil becomes unstable when it's disturbed by running water, wind and gravity. They decided to try wildflowers! This plant that does not bloom thrives in rocky soil. I admit that I leaned on the decking railing at my sister’s house and looked at her steep section which runs down to a native bush reserve and then an estuary. Reply. While exploring the steep slopes of Helu above Lāhainā, botanist Hank Oppenheimer and colleague Jennifer Higashino found a single large plant in the deep shade of a healthy ʻōhiʻa forest. Periodic mowing may be needed to control growth and keep woody shrubs and trees from becoming established. Hypericum Calycinum St. John's Wort. Tree roots stretch out in all directions, holding soil in place. Creeping juniper is an evergreen shrub that grows in zones 3 to 9. If you are on a personal connection, like at home, you can run an anti-virus scan on your device to make sure it is not infected with malware. Creeping Raspberry. An added bonus is that deer won’t eat it. Below are 11 best plants for covering slopes and hillside areas and to create beauty and stabilty. Roots spread quickly to cover bare, shady slopes with elegant 3-foot-tall, vase-shaped plants. A multi-level canopy will do the best job of intercepting and slowing precipitation before it hits the ground, thus reducing surface erosion. Native plants for steep slopes. Native plants for a steep slope. I personally prefer slopes to a flat "green-lawn-man" type of garden. Here is a list of seven great plants I use to tackle challenging slopes. Good Plants for Sloping Areas. Deciduous. One of the best ways to control erosion with native plants on a steep slope is to plant it solidly with California lilac (Ceanothus.) Planting them up with the right plants can be a great long term solution. The Spruce / Autumn Wood Creeping junipers are among the ground covers that like a lot of sun. Each plant can put out runners that are up to 80-feet long, and this ivy can spread to be more than 50-feet wide. All of these prefer well-draining soils and are tolerant of drier conditions once established. Fast growing ground covers for slopes often have low growing habits so they can quickly cover open ground. Often difficult to access, poor and sandy, they are prone to erosion, soil drying and tend to be overrun with weeds. The dead turf could be cut away to install the new plants. Native Plants for Steep Slopes and Erosion Control By gripping the soil with their more extensive roots, certain native plants can do a better job at erosion control than turf grass, especially in shade areas where grass grows poorly. The big leaf aster produces violet flowers in late summer into fall. Create beautiful gardens on challenging terrain or sloping sites using our selection of plants… In most cases, planting native plants by hand does not require a permit. Bright yellow flowers appear in spring and early summer when planted in full sun. Plants that leaf out early and hold their leaves until late fall, however, rise to the top of the heap. English Ivy. See more ideas about Plants, Landscape design, Landscaping a slope. After the terrible Oso landslide tragedy, we received several calls at Woodbrook Native Plant Nursery from people wanting advice on what to plant on their hillsides. Plants for steep slopes Steeply sloped sites have many inherent issues, including soil displacement, erosion and the obvious safety challenges of working on potentially unstable, banked ground.

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