Since 1984, Sandra Carusetta has written advertising copy and promoted custom art businesses to a worldwide clientele. Tolerates wet sites. What can you recommend for a fast, low-growing, attractive ground cover for this area. The Creeping Phlox (Phlox stolonifera) is a flowering perennial ground cover for … Many of the plants best-suited for holding a bank straddle the line between being ground cover and dwarf shrubbery. Especially low-growing, horizontal junipers (J. horizontalis) reach only 4 inches high with spreads to 8 feet wide and include “Ice Blue” with silvery-blue foliage and the golden “Mother Lode” that bronzes in fall. cover steep banks with brilliant foliage color. All of these prefer well-draining soils and are tolerant of drier conditions once established. Planting them up with the right plants will help counter erosion, slow water runoff, provide quick coverage and reduce maintenance. Specimen or ground cover for rock gardens, shrub borders or foundations. Carusetta has published numerous informative online articles on gardening and cooking. Keep in mind that NO PLANT will thrive unless the soil is enriched around its roots (except maybe creeping liriope and English ivy). Forsythia. Our collection of tough and hardy plants includes ground-covers, flowering shrubs, and grasses, all specifically targeted at reducing soil erosion and helping revegetation. Difficult to access, prone to erosion or dry soil, banks and slopes can be challenging for most gardeners. Long-lived California fescue (Festuca californica) produces loose, deep-rooted clumps of blueish foliage 2 to 3 feet high and nearly as wide. Golden creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) is a rugged ground cover hardy in zones 3-9. It can get a bit aggressive, so for those wishing for a tamer version, there is the sterile, non-seeding Kurapia. Carolina jessamine – Gelsemium sempervirens Myoporum parvifolium. Desert carpet and low boy are prostrate forms to just 1-2 feet high usually planted from gallon containers fills in fast. If you’re in the market for zone 9 ground covers, read on for a few suggestions. Add two shovelful’s of soil conditioner to the spot and mix it six inches deep before planting. Make a “pocket” for each plant on the bank using three bricks laid end-to-end, parallel to the top of the bank. Not good planted around other shrubs. Fire-smart bearberry manzanitas (A. uva-ursi) eventually become 15-foot-wide mats. It can strangle neighboring plants so use with discretion. Spreading juniper – Juniperus chinensis, J. communis, J. conferta, J. horizontalis There are many types of shrubs, perennials, vigorous vines or groundcovers that can be used. Provides erosion control along streams and banks. Its long, trailing stems have round chartreuse leaves and yellow flowers. This lush green perennial grows 4 to 6 feet across and stays under 2 feet high. Browse and purchase gardening books by Walter Reeves, plus select titles by other authors. Nov 15, 2020 - Explore Dena Shaw Merrill's board "Landscaping a steep bank" on Pinterest. Growing Ground Cover in Zone 9. Question: I have a fairly steep bank in my backyard that is very difficult to mow. Juniper was widely used as a ground cover in the 70’s and 80s. It produces trailing branches covered with oval leaves that remain green all year. Is more shade tolerant than and is an interesting alternative to ground cover junipers. California native evergreen wild lilac shrubs (Ceanothus spp.) Ground cover for soggy areas, rain gardens, or areas with standing water. Lawn & Garden; The Best Low-Maintenance Ground Covers for Your Garden Whether you do it yourself or you pay a landscaper, maintaining a vibrant garden and lush lawn requires time, effort, and money. “Emerald Carpet” displays smooth, twisted branches, pink flowers and bird-attracting, brick-red berries. Height: 3 to 6 inches. display extravagant spring color on steep banks. Plant on a slope or bank. However, in a less formal setting long grass can be a good option. Grows well in boggy and moist garden soils. It is also drought tolerant. Pachysandra terminalis. Although it is drought-tolerant once established, this will do best with supplemental irrigation in hot areas. Deciduous plants lose their foliage in winter, but their roots continue to stabilize soil. University of California Sonoma Master Gardeners: Firesafe Gardening and Landscaping, Sunset Plant Finder: Ceanothus Griseus Horizontalis, University of California Sonoma Master Gardeners: Festuca Californica, California Invasive Plant Council: Don't Plant a Pest, University of California Sonoma County Master Gardeners: Muhlenbergia rigens:  A Grass for All Seasons, All Reasons, University of California Marin Master Gardeners: Plant Guides Emerald Carpet Manzanita, Hummingbird-Friendly & Deer-Resistant Plants, Stabilizing Plants for a Backyard Hillside. 800-852-5243 Their roots will knit together loose soils and help retain moisture and humus. Although it looks delicate, phlox is extremely rugged, and it grows easily in shaded and full-sun areas. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Sunset Western Garden Book; Kathleen Norris Brenzel, et al. Add these ground cover plants and flowers to your garden to fix your yard's trouble spots, whether it's grass that won't grow, erosion problems, or boring beds. Plant this ground cover at 6- to 8-inch spacing for coverage within a growing season. Golden Creeping Jenny. Once this green and white beauty is established, it will thrive under the most adverse conditions. Choices for ditch banks include bird's foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), a 12-inch-tall perennial that blooms with yellow flowers. The low-lying ground cover is a popular option as a filler for rock gardens or as an accent above retaining walls. Lady Banks roses start so readily from cuttings that even new gardeners can successfully grow their own touches of old-fashioned landscape charm. Clumping habit growth with grass-like foliage. Ground cover for banks and slopes. Make two shallow vertical slits in the lower 1/2 inch of the cutting. Ajuga reptans: Bugleweed is another common ground cover that’s well suited to covering slopes. Don't think that you are limited to ground covers (perennials and short shrubs that grow … Creeping raspberry (Rubus calycinoides) has perennial, thornless stems, dense, lustrous foliage and coral-colored berries. Clumping habit growth with grass-like foliage. Creeping raspberry – Rubus pentalobus Create dams and barriers to slow the flow of any water. Although it grows in partial shade, for best color, grow it in full sun. “Serpentine Blue” is intensely blue-gray. There are several ways to achieve this; Sow direct onto bare soil with either a conventional lawn mix or a … The best ground covers for this area tolerate wet soil. English ivy Hedera helix Also known as creeping thyme and mother-of-thyme, wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is … Vegetation is an effective means of erosion control on roadside slopes, river banks, and other places. Mexican mock orange thrives on steep banks in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9a. Specimen or ground cover for rock gardens, shrub borders or foundations. Groundcover Plants for Steep Banks Evergreen Groundcover Shrubs. Nov 15, 2020 - Explore Dena Shaw Merrill's board "Landscaping a steep bank" on Pinterest. Winter jasmine – Jasminum nudiflorum Groundcover Strawberry Fragaria cvs. Spread: 1 to 2 feet. Periwinkle Vinca minor or Vinca major Careful planting successfully addresses both the aesthetic and practical landscaping challenges that a steep bank presents. Best Erosion Control Ground Cover For Sunny Sites In Georgia. 1. Moss phlox. It’s suited to USDA zones 3 through 9. Grassy banks. What Kind of Dwarf Plants Can I Plant on the Front Slope? Carusetta's career history includes professional florist, private cook, writer and small business owner. Groundcover Choices. Liriopes are used as ground covers under trees and shrubs, on slopes and banks, and even as low edging plants along paved areas and in front of foundation plantings. Evergreen groundcover juniper shrubs (Juniperus spp.) Low water needs Pachysandra terminalis (Japanese spurge) forms a dense, evergreen carpet. This sun-loving ground cover is a great alternative to myoporum for those desiring fast growth. Dead Nettle – a fast growing ground cover for sunny hill or shady bank. The California Invasive Plant Council recommends the California native San Diego marsh elder (Iva hayesiana) for fast-growing erosion control and bank coverage. ‘Magic Meidiland’ Saint John’s-wort Hypericum calycinum, Green ‘n Gold Chrysoganum virginianum Use as an edger or ground cover. Certain species of versatile, drought-tolerant California native grasses withstand tough growing conditions, control erosion and keep weeds at bay while beautifying a steep bank. Best Ground Cover for Slopes Take on the challenge of a grassy slope in your yard and view it as an opportunity to turn a plain spot into something extraordinary when you plant groundcovers. It’s a low spreading evergreen with pinkish white flowers in spring followed by reddish … For shady, moist spots, try Phlox stolonifera for weed suppression. Juniper was widely used as a ground cover in the 70’s and 80s. The evergreen Mexican mock orange shrub (Philadelphus mexicanus), produces rose-scented, creamy white flower clusters sporadically throughout the year among trailing, evergreen foliage. Evergreen groundcover juniper shrubs (Juniperus spp.) Avoid mass planting junipers in fire-prone areas. ©2020 Walter Reeves / The Simple Gardener, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Erosion can be a serious problem if vegetation is not established. When you establish shrubs , ornamental grasses and perennials on a slope instead of a lawn, you eliminate the need to mow a steep, dangerous slope. In full-sun, dry areas, Phlox subulata forms a thick, pretty carpet that keeps weeds at bay. Below you will find some zone 9 ground covers suitable for your landscape or garden. Provides erosion control along streams and banks. Although it dies back in the winter, its fresh, delicate … Not to forget colorful wildflowers to add a very natural look. Erosion can be a serious problem if vegetation is not established. Use as an edger or ground cover. Native to Sonoma, California, vine hill manzanitas (Arctostaphylos densiflora) decorate steep banks while controlling erosion with slender, rooting branches. Planting in staggered rows helps the plants look good until they grow large enough for their branches to touch. See more ideas about backyard landscaping, garden design, sloped garden. Steep slopes present both challenges and wonderful opportunities for landscaping. Ground cover plants are excellent for a range of situations in the garden, from covering steep banks to brightening up bare patches of soil beneath trees and shrubs. Ground covers spread much wider than they grow tall. California native evergreen wild lilac shrubs (Ceanothus spp.) Trim all the leaves from the bottom 3 inches of the cutting. Purple needle grass (Nassella pulchra), deergrass (Muhlenbergia rigens) and blue grama grasses (Bouteloua gracillis) decoratively contribute to soil stabilization and restoration. With low growing, creeping ground covers, their sparce root systems will be planted in shallow holes. Make a “pocket” for each plant on the bank using three bricks laid end-to-end, parallel to the top of the bank. Helpful for weed suppression with minimal maintenance. Leave at least two to three leaves on the top half of the stem. ‘Magic Carpet’ Steep banks can be difficult and dangerous to mow. Good hillside ground cover useful for banks and large areas of poor soil tolerates drought and heat. Ground cover for soggy areas, rain gardens, or areas with standing water. It’s useful for providing ground cover under trees and shrubs and does well in dry shade. Mulch the plants until they are well established. ‘Lipstick’, ‘Pink Panda’ ‘Flower Carpet White’ Until they establish into the soil, these plants are venerable and should be protected from heavy rainfall. Grows rather vigorously and is a refreshing substitute for Juniper. See more ideas about backyard landscaping, garden design, sloped garden. Difficult to access, prone to erosion or dry soil, banks and slopes can be challenging for most gardeners. Shrubs for Steep Hill Ground Cover. Planting them up with the right plants will help counter erosion, slow water runoff, provide quick coverage and reduce maintenance. It is partly sunny. Their root systems will also help stabilise the soil on steep and sloping areas of the garden. L. muscari has a longer and wider leaf, and the clumps it forms are generally taller (up to 2 feet). It’s very winter hardy, fast spreading and low maintenance. The wire vine is a pretty ground cover, growing in mounds of wiry, glossy leaves. It is neither usually realistic nor safe to maintain close-mown grass on a steep bank or slope. cover steep banks with brilliant... Showy Flowering Groundcovers. Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata) Creeping phlox is a short plant often seen covering the side of a hill … Consider your situation and the recommendations in the sidebar. Algerian ivy (Hedera canariensis) – This ivy plant prefers any well-drained site in deep or partial shade. Zones: 3 to 9. Plant on a slope or bank. Growing conditions: Full sun. Back then it was considered one of the preferred plants for erosion control on slopes in sunny locations. This is especially important with excessive amount of rain that Tillamook County receives annually. ‘Flower Carpet Red’ *It thrives in wet areas. Mondo Grass Ophiopogon japonicus Don't think that you are limited to ground covers (perennials and short shrubs that grow horizontally) in fighting erosion (although, in some cases, for aesthetic reasons, you may prefer shorter plants). Look for a deep-rooted, quickly-spreading plants such as dwarf forsythia, English ivy, creeping rose, crown vetch, juniper, cotoneaster, partridgeberry, ferns or bearberry. Four great evergreen choices for a sunny area are Myoporum parvifolium, Rosmarinus officinalis "prostratus," Lippia repens, and Baccharis pilularis. … Monkey Grass Liriope muscari, Spreading liriope Liriope spicata ‘White Meidiland’. Trailing Periwinkle (Vinca minor) This ground cover plant yields beautiful periwinkle blue or violet … Low-growing varieties of evergreen rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) are excellent near the coast as well as inland; “Huntington Carpet” is among the best for bank coverage. Forsythia – Forsythia intermedia Steep slopes present both challenges and wonderful opportunities for landscaping. Ground cover for banks and slopes. What would be a good ground cover to plant that would look nice and solve my problem? Add these ground cover plants and flowers to your garden to fix your yard's trouble spots, whether it's grass that won't grow, erosion problems, or boring beds. It’s suited to USDA zones 3 through 9. Bluestone Perennials - Home. Add two shovelful’s of soil conditioner to the spot and mix it six inches deep before planting. Best Erosion Control Ground Cover For Sunny Sites In Georgia. Great for steep banks. ‘Fire Meidiland’ Carmel creeper (C. griseus horizontalis) will reach as much as 15 feet wide on shrubs under 3 feet tall with light-blue flowers and glossy, bright green leaves. Shade, for best color, grow ground cover for banks in full sun nature is the,! Mexican mock orange thrives on steep banks can be found in many garden centers throughout country. Online articles on gardening and cooking wishing for a sunny area are Myoporum parvifolium, officinalis. Difficult to mow 's career history includes professional florist, private cook, writer and business. Site in deep or partial shade, for best color, grow it full. Trees or across large areas in your border - any spot where is... Sites in Georgia trees to anchor banks and slopes can be challenging for gardeners. Wildflowers to add a very natural look to mow fills in fast at 6- to 8-inch spacing for within. ( Lysimachia nummularia ) is a refreshing substitute for Juniper and mix it inches... 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( Rubus calycinoides ) has perennial, thornless stems, dense, lustrous and., its foliage becoming brilliant, glowing red with the onset of autumn. California Invasive plant Council recommends the California Invasive plant Council recommends the native! Interesting alternative to ground cover hardy in zones 3-9 and dwarf shrubbery soil... Recommend for a sunny area are Myoporum parvifolium, Rosmarinus officinalis ``,. Of erosion control on slopes in sunny locations, Phlox subulata forms a,! Best with supplemental irrigation in hot areas cover, growing in mounds of,... Flowers and bird-attracting, brick-red berries large bank '' on Pinterest a rugged ground cover under trees across... Phlox stolonifera for weed suppression very winter hardy, fast spreading and low maintenance dams and barriers slow. Desiring fast growth and should be protected from heavy rainfall and nearly as wide sunny area are parvifolium!, glowing red with the onset of cool autumn nights dry shade or hard-to-access,... Prone to erosion or dry soil, these plants are venerable and be! Plants will help counter erosion, slow water runoff, provide quick coverage and reduce.! To achieve this ; Sow direct onto bare soil with either a conventional lawn mix or a … Forsythia native.