Hill garden design ideas
How to Garden on a Slope: 12 Ideas for Hillsides
Turn uneven ground into a lush garden with these landscaping tips
By
Marie Iannotti
Marie Iannotti
Marie Iannotti is a life-long gardener and a veteran Master Gardener with nearly three decades of experience. She's also an author of three gardening books, a plant photographer, public speaker, and a former Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticulture Educator. Marie's garden writing has been featured in newspapers and magazines nationwide and she has been interviewed for Martha Stewart Radio, National Public Radio, and numerous articles.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 09/28/22
The Spruce / Marie Iannotti
A slope or hillside can be intimidating when landscape planning. They're also challenging to walk on and work on. Gardening on a slope additionally comes with the risk of soil runoff. Since water naturally runs downhill, it's a good idea to stabilize a slope with contour rows, terraces, or raised beds.
However, hillsides also have some built-in advantages. You have an instant view, and creating a dynamic sense of movement with plants positioned on a hill is easy. This resourceful gardener used the contrasting plant textures of the conical evergreens, spiky flowers, flowing ornamental grasses, and rounded shrubs to animate the garden. The scene is kept moving by a river of silver lamb's ear that runs the length of the bed.
Also, if you're landscaping on a budget, consider groundcovers that will give you a carpet of green along the slope. Incorporate a flower garden on the hill by selecting hillside flowers and vegetation that like to grow in crags and crevices, or on a slope, like sedum, rock cress, creeping phlox, and sweet alyssum.
Click Play for Hillside Landscaping Ideas
Retaining Your Sloped Garden
Retaining walls are how you keep dirt from washing away on a slope.
Soil erosion is bound to happen with water and gravity doing the dirty work. But you can add wood, rock, or concrete block to make a retaining wall to hold the soil in place. You can also stagger retaining walls to build a tiered garden on a slope.
Consider installing a retaining wall if you have a steep slope of over 50% or 45 degrees. When installing any retaining wall, add a good drainage system behind the wall to prevent the wall from cracking or collapsing.
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01 of 12
Terracing a Hillside Vegetable Garden
Kirk Longpré / Pacific HorticultureA hillside can be a blessing when designing a vegetable garden, especially a south-facing slope. This west coast garden shared by the Pacific Horticulture Society takes advantage of the elevated ground along the trellised side by planting flowers that will be at eye level as someone walks down the path.
Each terraced row is on its own level and gets direct sunlight without being shaded by the row in front. It can be a challenge to get supplies and water to the area. It would be wise to consider drip irrigation, and pathways between the vegetable rows are a must. -
02 of 12
Anchoring a Hillside Garden
The Spruce / Marie IannottiThe soil on a hillside is often less than ideal. The topsoil tends to wash off quickly, taking the nutrients and fertility with it. It's not uncommon to have a hillside, primarily rocks, barely covered with a topping of soil. In that case, you may have to create planting pockets and add some additional soil to establish plants.
This gardener made use of two workhorses, astilbe and hosta. Both can grow in the shade of this creek hillside, and both are hardy enough to take hold in the poor soil. She divided the original plants and quickly covered the entire slope within a few years.
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03 of 12
Terracing a Hillside With Stone
sdgtrackerStone walls are a classic way to terrace and tame a hillside.
Although they are a lot of work initially, once they are in place, you have a functional and attractive structure. Stone walls can create planting areas wide enough to work in and around, and they even look good on their own, requiring very little fanfare from the plants contained in them. Since stone tends to heat up early in the spring and hold heat at night, you are creating a microclimate that will allow you to grow plants that would not survive in other areas of your yard. -
04 of 12
A Borrowed Hillside View
The Spruce / Marie IannottiA hillside can become part of your landscape even if it tapers off into the distance. These homeowners live near a wooded lot that slopes toward their yard and house. They limbed up the trees to create a clearer view. They underplanted with actual woodland plants such as maidenhair ferns (Adiantum) and mayapples, as well as rugged workhorses like hostas and foamflower (Tiarella). The effect is almost a fairytale setting that sets the house as a destination.
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05 of 12
Taming a Hillside in Small Bites
1001 GardensWhen the angle of the slope is extreme, stairs are a necessity. However, you do not have to landscape the entire hillside—at least not all at once. Take advantage of the area closest to your living area and create manageable planting boxes. At the lower levels, you can do it without extra equipment, and the boxes are not just easy to work in; they create a garden room for relaxing and entertaining.
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06 of 12
A Natural Hillside Rock Garden
Solidaria GardenPart of the challenge of landscaping a hillside is establishing the plants before they wash down the slope. Plants need water to become established, and watering a barren slope is an invitation for runoff. If you are not going to be terracing the hillside and creating flat areas for planting, adding large rocks and boulders is a good alternative way to anchor the soil while the plants take hold.
This gardener made his hillside rock garden look natural by allowing the rocks to tumble and land where they may.
Some weeding and maintenance are involved in the early years, but it becomes less as the plants spread out. As the plants fill in, it looks like the whole garden evolved independently. -
07 of 12
Gardening a Roadside Slope
The Spruce / Marie iannottiIt's lovely to have a house situated on a hill overlooking the landscape, but that sometimes means your yard slopes down to the road, giving you the effect of a hell strip in your front yard. As with any other slope, you need tough plants that won't require a lot of grooming. Shrubs and evergreen are ideal for this situation. Since you don't want to obscure the view at the side of the road completely, fill in the front section with lower-growing perennials that will not need frequent division, such as hosta and ferns.
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08 of 12
Creating an Alpine Hillside Garden
The Spruce / Marie IannottiConsider yourself lucky if your hillside is basically scree or naturally covered in rocks.
You can create a unique alpine garden that will draw the eye upward. Follow this gardener's lead and use the existing rocks, but reposition them. Larger slabs are used as steps and platforms. She also makes liberal use of hypertufa or artificial limestone, which blends in beautifully with the natural stone. Finally, pea gravel is used as a mulch, to prevent runoff and create a unifying color palette. Large evergreens give the planting weight, and self-sowing perennials, like corydalis, are allowed to fill in where they will and soften the rocky ledge.
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09 of 12
Turning a Hillside Into a Garden Walk
Carol Norquist / Flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0Terracing the walkway while leaving the planting area elevated gives the effect of encompassing passersby in the flowers. Instead of steps, these homeowners have chosen to lay stepping stones with just enough traction to keep walkers steady.
The exuberant perennials along the walkway are given even more level changes by using containers and pot stands on the lower levels, which create focal points for the journey down.
And drivers passing by on the road get a full view of the hillside garden, rather than only the front few plants a flat garden would afford them. -
10 of 12
A Four-Season Hillside Garden
PicreviseWhen you have a hillside that frames a view of your house, you want it to remain attractive year-round. Colorful shrubs are the perfect answer. Not only do they have four seasons of interest, they require minimal, if any, maintenance. A little pruning in the spring and your hillside should look good for the rest of the year. And shrubs are excellent for controlling erosion. Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia), California lilac (Ceanothus), and prostrate rosemary make good choices.
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11 of 12
Covering Ground on a Hillside
Scott Beuerlein / State by State GardeningFor a gentle slope or berm that connects a wooded area with your open lawn, create a smooth transition with groundcovers that naturalize and create a colorful carpet.
The soil will drain quickly on a berm, so treat it like a rock garden and use plants such as creeping phlox, alpines, perennial geraniums, and tiny bellflowers. Using flowers in white and soft pastels will keep the cool feel of the woodland. You can extend the color past the spring bloomers with white and yellow variegated foliage. -
12 of 12
Low-Maintenance Plants for a Hillside Garden
The Spruce / Marie IannottiRunoff is one of the biggest challenges with hillside gardens and even more so when the slope runs off into the driveway, where soil can settle. Choose plants that will anchor the hillside, such as shrubs, ornamental grasses, and prairie plants, like coneflower, that form a mat of roots. All these plants hold the ground in place and require minimal maintenance during the growing season. They can even be left standing for winter interest.
With a bit of thought when choosing your plants, any hillside or slope can become a focal point in your yard.
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Hillside Landscaping: How to Landscape on a Slope
Learn how to upgrade a slope with these ideas and tips. By Janet Loughrey, Garden Writer & Photographer
Cottage-style plantings adorn an urban front yard slope, which is reinforced with a stacked rock wall. Designer: David Coennen. Photo: Janet Loughrey.
A hillside property may offer scenic vistas or other advantages, but can also present some of the biggest landscaping challenges. Slopes are more susceptible to soil erosion and drainage issues, and a steep or uneven hillside can be difficult to navigate, making landscape installation and maintenance more difficult.
A gentle slope is easier to deal with than a steep incline. It’s important to evaluate your property to come up with the most effective solutions for creating a beautiful landscape while keeping yourself and your property safe. Here are some things to look for, along with hillside landscaping ideas to get you started.
PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS
Evaluate your slope.
Determine the grade of your hillside, whether it’s slight, medium or steep. This will help you decide what solutions will be most effective. A slight grade may be controlled with rocks, mulch, and plants to anchor the soil, while a medium grade may benefit from more stabilization with the installation of landscape fabric beneath topsoil or mulch. Steep hillsides will require sturdier measures for controlling erosion, such as a retaining wall or terracing.
Analyze the soil.
The type of soil will affect how well the slope drains and how much erosion might occur. Sand and silt drain more quickly and are more prone to erosion than clay. Less stable soil may require a sturdier option such as a retaining wall.
Consider drainage.
Make sure there’s adequate drainage to reduce erosion and prevent walls from developing cracks, shifting, or collapsing. Water runoff that collects at the bottom of a slope may need to be diverted with a French drain or other drainage system.
Determine access.
How easy is it to get around your slope? If doing the work and maintenance yourself, are you able to go up and down the hillside safely?
Consult a professional.
For a difficult property or complex renovation, it’s advisable to hire a landscape designer, contractor, or architect who can evaluate your property and offer professional advice. This is especially crucial if you live in an area that’s prone to slides, and if you are adding features such as rock walls, retaining walls, waterfalls, and berms that require specialized equipment and expertise.
MAKE A PLAN
Draw up a design.
Make a rough sketch yourself, or consult a landscape professional for a more elaborate design.
Get inspired.
Look for hillside landscaping ideas by searching online or visiting local gardens. Seek out similar properties to find out what worked and what didn’t.
Design for accessibility.
Make accessibility a top consideration in the design.
The easier it is to get around the hillside, the safer it will be, the easier it will be to maintain, and the more time you’ll spend outdoors.
Consider scale.
Choose hardscape materials such as boulders or rocks that will complement the scale of the space. Make sure materials will help secure the slope rather than making it less stable.
Choose a style.
Pick a theme, materials, and plants that will harmonize with your home’s exterior. Rough boulders, railroad ties, and native plants will complement more natural-looking houses, while cleaner materials and formal plantings will blend with more modern architecture.
Create a destination.
Construct a patio, seating area, or fire pit where you can take advantage of views of your home or the surrounding landscape. These areas also serve as focal points to draw your eye up and down the slope.
Plan garden beds.
Decide what kind of garden areas you’d like to include, whether it’s a mixed border, rock garden, shade border, vegetable plot, or water-wise strip.
TYPES OF SLOPE STABILIZATION
This moderate slope is stabilized with a combination of rock walls, cement steps, groundcovers, and hedging. Photo: Janet Loughrey.
Mulch.
This is a low-cost solution for a gently sloped yard that helps prevent the loss of topsoil, suppress weeds, and retain moisture.
Landscape fabric.
Landscape fabric can stabilize a gentle or moderate slope and keep soil from eroding. The disadvantage to landscape fabric is that it will eventually break down, compact the soil and may stunt root development.
Rocks or boulders.
Individual rocks or boulders can be arranged along a hillside to help prevent soil erosion. For steeper grades, choose angular boulders that can dig into the soil rather than smooth rocks that are more prone to rolling or washing away.
Soil or wooden berm.
This can provide a more gentle transition to different levels.
Rock wall.
A rock wall is comprised of stacked rocks that are loose or adhered together.
Place stone walls at the back of a property, adjacent to a sidewalk, or to define different levels on the property.
Retaining wall.
A retaining wall helps stabilize the soil and define different areas. This is a good solution for a steep slope, and may entail cutting away a portion of the hillside and constructing a vertical wall to hold the soil. Materials can be rocks, bricks, cinder blocks, cement, railroad ties, or other lumber.
Terracing.
A steep hillside can be divided into different levels with a series of retaining walls and flat surfaces in between. The flat areas help control runoff and can be used for planting flowers, seating areas, or recreational opportunities.
Stairways and pathways.
These features will help with stabilization, allow easier access, and connect different areas together. Steps can consist of stone blocks, slabs, or wood for a steeper slope. Pavers or gravel are appropriate for a gentler grade. Create switchbacks on steeper slopes to make pathways safer to navigate.
Waterfall.
Take advantage of elevation change by installing a tumbling waterfall in a sloped backyard. Use materials that will help stabilize a hillside as well as lend aesthetic beauty.
Vegetation.
Turf grass and other plants help anchor a slope or hillside. If choosing turf, make sure the slope can be easily mowed and maintained.
PLANTS FOR A HILLSIDE LANDSCAPE
This hillside with a medium grade is softened with an engaging mix of trees, shrubs, perennials, and groundcovers. Gardener: Nancy Plumlee. Designer: Lori Scott. Photo: Janet Loughrey.
A hillside garden is different to plan for than a flat area. Plant roots will help stabilize a hillside and stem erosion, while foliage provides a canopy that slows water absorption during heavy rains. These can include trees, shrubs, perennials, and creeping groundcovers, with some varieties more effective than others. Here’s what to look for, along with some of the best plants to use.
Plant selection.
Choose plants for hillside landscapes that will develop a deep root system and spread quickly to cover bare soil. Consider microclimates: rock walls will absorb sun, making adjacent planting beds warmer, while shady areas will be cooler. Native varieties have the added benefits of low maintenance and supporting pollinators and wildlife.
Light conditions.
Note how the sun moves over the property throughout the day and in different seasons. Choose plants according to their light needs of full sun, partial sun or shade.
Mix it up.
Grow plants of different types including groundcovers, perennials, trees, and shrubs to create an attractive layered tapestry.
Siting plants.
For more efficient water usage and healthier plants, group varieties together with similar watering needs. Since water runs downhill, site drought-tolerant plants towards the top of a slope, with thirstier varieties towards the bottom.
| Sun | Shade | |
|---|---|---|
| GROUND COVERS | Creeping phlox, rockspray cotoneaster, creeping sedum, candytuft, liriope, ajuga | Sorrel (Oxalis), bunchberry dogwood (Cornus canadensis), dead nettle (Lamium), vinca, Japanese spurge (Pachysandra), wild ginger (Asarum caudatum) |
| PERENNIALS | Sedges and other ornamental grasses, coneflower, stonecrop (Sedum), yarrow, salvia, dianthus | Hosta, astilbe, ferns, Solomon's seal, coral bells, epimedium |
| SHRUBS | Spirea, mockorange (Philadelphus), elderberry (Sambucus), creeping juniper, forsythia, sumac, quince | Euonymus snowberry, Oregon gape, salal, huckleberry, rhododendron, St. John's wort |
| TREES | Dogwood, witch hazel, hawthorn, native willow (Salix hookeriana), pine | Vine maple, Japanese maple, redbud, beech, serviceberry |
MAINTAINING A HILLSIDE GARDEN
Select durable materials.
When building retaining walls or other structures, use the most durable materials that you can afford. Cement blocks will last longer than wooden railroad ties.
Use high-quality soil.
Plants will be healthier and need less fertilization when using higher quality topsoil, amendments, and mulch.
Keep garden areas mulched.
A layer of mulch reduces the need for chores such as weeding and watering.
Choose carefree plants.
Use varieties that need little or no pruning, fertilizing, or watering to create a low-maintenance hillside landscape.
Irrigation.
Install drip irrigation to make watering chores easier.
A drip system is more efficient and allows water to more slowly penetrate the soil, helping to stem erosion. Overhead watering or sprinklers may cause surface runoff and may not penetrate the soil.
Enlist help.
Use a professional maintenance crew for challenging slopes.
HILLSIDE LANDSCAPING ON A BUDGET
Here are a few ways to reduce the costs of landscaping on a slope:
Invest wisely.
Don’t skimp on structural features to ensure longevity and safety of the slope.
Do it yourself.
Do some or all of the work yourself rather than solely relying on a designer or contractor. Online videos and other resources can offer guidance.
Recycle.
Get landscape rocks, topsoil, or other hardscaping materials on free sites or online groups. Some cities offer free or low-cost compost. Other free hardscape sources may include recycled concrete from sidewalk demolition or other deconstruction projects, or wilderness areas that allow permitted rock collecting.
Bargain hunt.
Peruse nurseries for end of the season sales on plants and hardscape materials.
Trade.
Join a plant exchange group to trade plants for free.
Plant selection.
Choose plant varieties that will quickly mature or fill in. Select varieties that are hardy, long-lived, and fail-proof to minimize plant losses. Use water-wise plants to save on water bills.
Substitute less expensive materials.
Gravel for pathways and patios is cheaper than cut stone, bricks, or pavers.
HILLSIDE LANDSCAPING IDEAS
Brick walls and stairways define the sloped transition between the street and home. Gardener: Bud Deitrich. Photo: Janet Loughrey.
A captivating combination of cement walls, stairways, and shade plantings define the steep slope of this modern-style urban garden. Designer: Laura Crockett. Photo: Janet Loughrey.
Dfferent levels and angled pathways compel visitors to explore this terraced hillside garden. Lush shade plantings soften the angular lines of the hardscape.
Designer: Laura Crockett. Photo: Janet Loughrey.
A gentle slope defined by a rustic rock wall and stone steps leads to a secluded backyard seating area. Designer: Philip Thornburg. Photo: Janet Loughrey.
Cottage-style plantings adorn an urban front yard slope, which is reinforced with a stacked rock wall. Designer: David Coennen. Photo: Janet Loughrey.
A stone paver pathway on a gentle slope connects a spacious lawn to a patio area. Lush plantings soften the rock walls, lending richness to the landscape. Designers: Anne Marsh and Gary Fear. Photo: Janet Loughrey.
The main feature of this backyard slope is a babbling stream with a series of waterfalls. A gravel pathway that allows access for maintenance leads to a quiet seating area surrounded by lush plantings. Designers: Anne Marsh and Gary Fear. Photo: Janet Loughrey.
This hillside with a medium grade is softened with an engaging mix of trees, shrubs, perennials, and groundcovers. Gardener: Nancy Plumlee.
Designer: Lori Scott. Photo: Janet Loughrey.
A grand double waterfall anchors this moderately graded slope. Irregular boulders and rocks lend the appearance of a natural stream. Designer: Laura Crockett. Photo: Janet Loughrey.
This moderate slope is stabilized with a combination of rock walls, cement steps, groundcovers, and hedging. Photo: Janet Loughrey.
For this wooded backyard with a moderate grade, multiple solutions include large boulders, a paver pathway, and shade plantings of ferns, grasses, perennials, and shrubs. Designer: Philip Thornburg. Photo: Janet Loughrey.
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Landscaping an uneven area: how to design a complex site with slope, hills and holes
There are a number of landscaping ideas that will look strange on flat terrain.
Or they will be expensive. So it is a site with a difficult terrain in some cases - good luck. How to dispose of an uneven area "wisely"?
B.DeMichele Inc.
Let's define the terms
To define the "flatness" of the site, the term "surface slope" is used. It is calculated in ppm (yes, the same ones that are used to measure the strength of alcohol). A slope of one ppm means a lowering of the surface of 1 mm per 1 meter of length. For example, for a normal flow of water in theory, the slope should be from five ppm. However, in practice, during construction, slopes of 10 ppm are usually laid on this. nine0003
Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design LLC
- A flat area is defined as having a slope of no more than 20 ppm. Such a difference is difficult to notice with a glance, and when walking, you most likely simply won’t feel it.
- Flat area - 20 to 60 ppm. With a gentle slope, the ascent and descent will be felt, but this will not cause problems for an adult active person.
It is worth thinking about changing the terrain if the family has kids (with bicycles and scooters), people with limited mobility and the elderly. Or you just want to emphasize the bias. nine0015 - Steep section - with a slope of more than 60 ppm. Here it will be difficult not only for a person, but also for a car. Even road signs inform about slopes from 60 ppm (sign slope 6%). Heavy trucks slide on steep sections in winter, and ordinary motorists have to be more careful.
Irregularities can also have a local character - for example, pits or hills. Consider how you can use different options in the landscape.
Chris Snook
Option 1: Relatively flat area with “pit”
If a sharp drop in relief is a pit, then most often it is simply filled in. But you can beat it in the project: a pond or a recreation area will organically fit into the depression, as in the photo.
ABOUT THIS…
Drowned garden: Sounds intriguing, but in fact everything is simple
Roxas Architectural and Landscape Bureau
In the photo: a local depression of the relief was used to create a reservoir. The lowering is decorated with slopes. It can be seen that the garden is in the process of being created, but it feels like it will be beautiful
arnouva elanández
In the photo: German landscape project - the recess was such that it was easier to put a house inside it
ABOUT THE PROJECT WITH PHOTO…
Houzz03 An interesting solution could be the organization of a semi-underground cellar - we build walls, a roof, we fill the space remaining from the pit with earth. On the roof of the dugout, you can break a flower garden of ground cover plants, then the cellar from the side will be invisible.
The main thing is to correctly calculate the structure of the building so that it can withstand the weight of the earth. nine0003
Weltevree
ABOUT THIS…
In reserve: What you need to know about building a cellar
Important: Pits on the site are often heated by groundwater, rainwater accumulates in them. Therefore, when using them in a project, do not forget to install pumps with filters and divert water from the sites to the storm drain system. When constructing low buildings, be sure to consider drainage.
Option 2: Relatively flat area with hill
A more common occurrence on the site is a convex irregularity, that is, a hill. Hills grow after digging a foundation pit for the foundation of a house, remain in the form of overgrown construction waste dumps ... But such seemingly unnecessary "heaps" can also be used.
ETs Ekopochva-LD
For example, arrange a rockery.
Or disassemble one large hill into several small ones, recultivate them with a fertile soil mixture and sow them with a lawn. Get a minimalistic picture. You can create a retaining wall around the hill, and cut off one of the slopes, put a stone bench there, build a hearth and enjoy the fire in the evenings, while being hidden from prying eyes. nine0003
Francis Landscapes
In the photo: the spa complex is inscribed into the existing relief . Thanks to a successful combination of architecture and geoplastics vacationers are completely invisible from the outside - they are hidden by a lawn on a hill
Wagner Hodgson
In the photo: minimalistic landscaping of an uneven site You can’t call such a solution completely natural, but it has its own charm. Sometimes you don't need to complicate anything to get a light and contemplative landscape
Roger Washburn Landscape Architecture
In the photo: an example of geoplastics on a complex terrain.
Existing irregularities were reclaimed, a step-by-step path was made in the recess, and the bend was emphasized with hosts
Junckerhaven
In the photo: hills in this area could already be or turned out after digging a foundation pit under a reservoir - who knows? But the land was not taken out and the site was not leveled, but an interesting relief was made
KOKENIWA Japanische Gartengestaltung
In the photo: an example of geoplastics on the roof. But who is stopping you from repeating this composition on your hill that has been interfering for a long time?
Margie Grace - Grace Design Associates
Tip: Look at the work of Japanese gardeners. With what tenderness and accuracy they treat any uneven terrain, how masterfully they fit all the functional zones into existing pits and bumps, not comparing them, but, on the contrary, emphasizing them.
KOKENIWA Japanische Gartengestaltung
Modulor
Option 3: Flat ground
There may also be different options. For example, a plot is flat on a plane, but this whole plane is inclined. In such cases, the territory is most often terraced: buildings are built on one flat terrace, and a garden is planted on the other. At the same time, there can be several terraces, and they can be of various complex shapes. The place of the height difference is either set rigidly - by retaining walls, or softly - by a slope device. nine0003
RELATED…
Retaining Walls: How to Use Them on a Difficult Site
Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design LLC
Retaining walls are used all the time in our gardens. But slopes are not very common. And in vain! If there are several terraces on the site, the abundance of retaining walls may seem too deliberate.
But the slopes are not so noticeable and also cheaper in execution. You can plant a lawn on the slopes (if the slope is sharp, it is better to sow the lawn in a special lawn grid). You can create an interesting uneven composition of trees and shrubs. You can arrange a stream or a whole cascade. In this context, flowing water will be very organic - much better than the option on a completely flat lawn. nine0003
Field Landscape Architecture
In the photo: the slope can be designed not only in a landscape style, but also in a regular one. In this case, it may be recommended to reinforce the slope with a lawn grid, hiding it under colored mulch
Roger Washburn Landscape Architecture
Pictured: slope option for classic English style gardens
SeARCH Architecture and Urban Planning
4 Pictured: SeARCH Architecture and Urban Planning
2
a conceptual building that fits perfectly into the existing uneven landscape.
Grandiose views are provided to the owners! nine0035
Motionspace Architecture + Design
Pictured: a plot on a slope. Smooth terraces with a house and a sports ground are connected by a slope. Stairs and no walls!
In the photo: an example of the use of various terracing methods: both a wall and a slope. Moreover, the wall is structurally connected with the structure on the lower terrace
Keith Willig Landscape Architecture, Inc.
You can also cut small sections of retaining walls into the slope to organize a recreation area. And the slope in the playground area is a godsend! This is a ready-made slide, a base for a bungee or a mini-climbing wall for kids ... And unlike a retaining wall, a fall from a slope will be less traumatic (and some children even love to roll down them “sausage downhill”). nine0003
Important : Drainage must be laid in the crest and at the base of a large slope - either in the form of a trench filled with crushed stone, or in the form of a drainage pipe with a device for overflowing water from the top of the slope to the bottom.
NM design
In the photo: a children's complex on a relief. A hilly playground is always more interesting and at the same time fits better into the design than a purchased children's playground
Wentworth Landscapes
In the photo: climbing hill
Pacific Resource Brokers
Pictured is an example of using a slope as a playground. We save on a separate playground and earthworks, and as a result we get a natural landscape with useful content
Shorewood Homes, Inc.
In the photo: an example of a country house inscribed in a slope: the lowering is involved, the building has a variable number of storeys. At the same time, the relief of the site is preserved. As a result - the cost of developing an individual project of a private house n in an uneven area and savings on earthworks during construction
Iconic Homes
In the photo: another example of a building on a slope: the use of pile foundations reduces the cost of construction, while maintaining the existing relief
There are areas with a gentle relief through which the inflection of the earth's surface passes.
That is, at the junction of two not very inclined planes, a depression is formed - a ravine. This happens if the site is located along the drain line. The slope may not be very noticeable to the eye (and even when walking), but during the melting of snow or during autumn showers, water will descend along the drain line. Such a variant of complex terrain requires especially careful calculations. Any mistake can lead to the fact that the built house will crack or float away, there will be water in the basements, and the orchard will never please with a good harvest. nine0003
ONE!CONTACT-Planungsbüro GmbH
In the photo: a garden on a difficult site - in a drain. The slopes are reinforced, but there are no strict retaining walls. Backfilling with crushed stone at the foot of the slope protects the “channel” from erosion and serves as external drainage. A pond with a cascade in such a lowland looks very organic
Titov Brothers Workshop
In particularly unlucky cases (when clay soils do not allow spring water to soak in, and the strip foundation of the fence is made without a drainage pipe, and there is simply nowhere for water to go) in the lowlands, the soil becomes acidic and covered with moss…
When working with such an area, it is important to understand in time that it is problematic.
To do this, look at the soil in the spring, ask around the neighbors. Doubts arose - call geologists and order a geo-substructure. These relatively small expenses can save you from many problems in the future.
It is most often useless to fill up the drain line with earth: the water passes through this place, as if through a gutter, and this gutter begins very far away. Only surface runoff will bury itself in the embankment, it will not stop groundwater ... The only right solution for such areas is the installation of a drainage and drainage system, as well as the competent location of capital buildings. The drainage line itself can be designed as a stream - since the water itself has chosen this place, you can play along with it. nine0003
Secret Gardens
Option 4: Extremely difficult terrain
Gardens on the slopes with access to your own pier or over a cliff - for a gorgeous view from the top terrace.
It would seem that such a slope should definitely be terraced and dissected by many stairs. However, different approaches are also possible here.
If the garden is "species" and is intended only for contemplation, the slope can not be redrawn. It is enough to arrange one large terrace to accommodate buildings, and clear the rest of the territory from dead wood, chaotic undergrowth and garbage vegetation. Ennoble, decorate with large boulders and sculpture, conduct landscape lighting and leave for admiring sunsets / sunrises. nine0003
The Garden Company
If a descent is required on an uneven site, you can not only “cut” the ground into even terraces, but alternate slopes with retaining walls to diversify the picture. Or decorate the slope with a serpentine path. I personally really like this solution: each turn of such a path creates a new viewpoint, reveals a unique picture that will hide around the corner. This is a very exciting game! On the turns of the track, you can put various platforms, like beads on a thread.
And this approach will also be more economical: due to the lengthening of the route, the slope softens, and you can do without stairs and retaining walls. nine0003
Secret Gardens
Important: The surface of the sloping path must be rough (so as not to slip and fall down), and along the path - a drain is arranged (options - an open gutter, a tray closed with a grate, or an underground storm drain with periodically installed storm grates ). The path should be well lit and have railings at least in particularly sharp places.
Photographer Mark Kozhura
In the photo: an example of using different types of cover to organize a descent - and tiles and backfill using sleepers as steps, and wooden flooring for a gentle descent, and stairs. Such a technique diversifies the monotony of a long descent
Architectural bureau "Designus"
Instead of conclusions
Do not rush to level everything to the state of a football field.
Perhaps all these irregularities and complexities of the terrain are the main highlight of your site. And they only need to be emphasized and carefully used. Look for inspiration from nature itself. Then your garden will be beautiful and harmonious, with its own charisma and personality. There won't be another one for sure! nine0003
Grounded
YOUR TURN…
Show how you used difficult terrain on your property. What difficulties did you experience during the implementation of the project? Share your ideas, how to arrange an uneven plot in the country house or country house
Lands and gardens with a fire place - 135 best photos, landscaping of the site, garden and vegetable garden
Life at the beach
Bayon Gardens
Fresh Design Idea: Sunny lot and medium sized modern backyard garden with fire pit, good lighting and gravel cover - great interior photo
Seattle Cozy Patio
SCJ Studio Landscape Architecture
In Seattle's Fremont neighborhood SCJ Studio designed a new landscape to surround and set off a contemporary home by Coates Design Architects.
The narrow spaces around the tall home needed structure and organization, and a thoughtful approach to layout and space programming. A concrete patio was installed with a Paloform Bento gas fire feature surrounded by lush, northwest planting. A horizontal board cedar fence provides privacy from the street and creates the cozy feeling of an outdoor room among the trees. LED low-voltage lighting by Kichler Lighting adds night-time warmth . Photography by: Miranda Estes Photography
Potrero Hill Lookout
Seed Studio Landscape Design
photo by Seed Studio, editing by TR PhotoStudio
A fresh design idea: a small, sunny, drought-tolerant modernist backyard garden with gravel, fire pit and good lighting - excellent photo of the interior
Saguaro Grove
AFT Construction
Stylish design: large sunny, summer sports ground in the neoclassical (modern classic) backyard with a fire pit, good lighting, paving slabs and a metal fence - latest trend
Santa Cruz Sustainable
K&D LANDSCAPING
Residential home in Santa Cruz, CA This stunning front and backyard project was so much fun! The plethora of K&D's scope of work included: smooth finished concrete walls, multiple styles of horizontal redwood fencing, smooth finished concrete stepping stones, bands, steps & pathways, paver patio & driveway, artificial turf, TimberTech stairs & decks, TimberTech custom bench with storage, shower wall with bike washing station, custom concrete fountain, poured-in-place fire pit, pour-in-place half circle bench with sloped back rest, metal pergola, low voltage lighting, planting and irrigation! (*Adorable cat not included)
San Clemente Simplicity
Living Gardens Landscape Design
A fresh design idea: a small, sunny, drought-tolerant backyard garden in a modern style with a fire pit, good lighting, and paving slabs - a great photo of the interior
Eco Modern
Eco Landscape Design & Build
Innis Casey Photography
Design idea for a large shady drought tolerant modernist backyard garden with fire pit and gravel
Rosedale Modern Courtyard
Native Edge Landscape
This duplex has a very modern aesthetic with focuses on clean lines and metal accents.
However, the front courtyard was undeveloped and uninviting. We worked with the client to tie the courtyard and the property together by adding clean, monochromatic details with a heavy focus on texture. The main goal of this project was to add a low-maintenance outdoor living space that was an extension of the home. The small space and harsh sun exposure limited the plant pallet, but we were able to use lush plant material to maximize the space. A monochromatic pallet makes for a perfect backdrop for focal points and key pieces. The circular fire-pit was used to break up the 90 degree angles of the space, and also played off the round pottery.
Full Home Remodel
Pearl Remodeling
Gas fire place and modern sitting area
Stylish design: large sunny, summer regular backyard modernist garden with fire pit, paving slabs and good lighting - the latest trend
Naugles Job - San Diego, CA
Western Outdoor Designs
Design idea for a classic-style huge yard and backyard garden with driveway, fire pit, afternoon shade and paving
Modern Farmhouse
Brad Ramsey Interiors
Pictured: large sunny, spring lot and backyard garden with fire pit, good light, pebbles and wood fence
San Clemente Simplicity Living Garden
Landscape Design
A fresh design idea: a small, sunny, drought-tolerant backyard garden in a modern style with a fire pit, good lighting, and paving slabs - great interior photo
Enjoy the evening in the Garden- Back Yard
Bosler Earth Design
Fire pit seating area with fountain and pathway to upper level landscape.
