What Groundcover Can I Plant On A Slope That Is…
Rida Asked
What groundcover can I plant on a slope that is too steep to mow?
The Gardener’s Answer
Hello, Rida in Kentucky: Landscaping a slope is a great way to eliminate the need to mow and will help with soil erosion if that is an issue. The first factor that needs to be considered is the amount of sunlight the slope receives. Six or more hours each day is considered full sun. Any amount less than three hours is shade and anything in between is part sun/shade. Choosing the right plant material will make your effort worthwhile. For shade, ivy is a great choice as well as pachysandra, ajuga, plumbago, evergreen ferns, and wild ginger. Choices for sun include sedums, perennial geraniums, creeping phlox, lysmachia, creeping thyme, vinca, and dianthus. Depending on the size of the space, you could also incorporate some low-growing shrubs such as juniper ‘Grey Owl’ or any of the dwarf nandinas. Not all of these options given are technically considered creepers and depending on the grade of the slope, this may not be a necessity. With any new planting there is always more maintenance on our part for the first year, just to make sure the plants receive enough moisture if Mother Nature does not provide it. Once the plantings become established this should be a low-maintenance space. The garden centers are filling up with plants so take a trip to your favorite one and see what options they have. Some of the smaller garden centers might be willing to special order plants for you if they do not have what you are looking for. Plantings now will require less water than they would in the heat of the summer.
