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Plants for sloping gardens


Best Plants For Slopes And Banks

Slope & Hillside Gardens

By: Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist

Image by Maximoangel

Gardening is always a challenge, but some of us have geographic issues which make the process even more difficult. Sloped properties pose particular challenges with their potential to erode, dry out, and their exposure. Solving these problems and finding the right plants for slopes and banks takes some planning and experience. 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. Read on for some ideas on choosing plants for sloping areas and how to maximize this difficult planting terrain.

Choosing Plants for Slopes and Banks

The first steps to planting a sloping area are to evaluate the pitch and runoff. If the pitch is more than 30 degrees, it might be a good idea to terrace the area to prevent topsoil from eroding and all moisture evacuating every time you water or it rains. Once you have solved any moisture retention and erosion problems, it is time to evaluate the site further for exposure and zone, and plan what plants grow on slopes.

The types of plants you choose will depend not only on your visual preference and vision but also the needs of the area. Deep rooted plants help stabilize soil, trees add dimension and shade to prevent excess evaporation, and low-growing groundcovers cover up unsightly areas with ease of care.

Turf grass is often a choice but consider the maintenance difficulties. Mowing is challenging and water will simply run off this high moisture loving plant. Better options might be a combination of different types of plants that are tolerant of wind, occasional drought, and have wide branching root zones to anchor them to the incline. The less maintenance, the better when choosing plants for sloping areas.

Good Plants for Sloping Areas

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. Taller shrubs and bushes add many seasons of interest and will help give the area a sculpted appeal. Just remember that young plants will need additional moisture, staking and training as they establish.

To keep maintenance down, choose plants that produce very little mess which would otherwise require extra work to clean up annually. Some plants that work well on slopes include:

Groundcovers are a great way to prevent erosion, cover a slope with color and texture, and conserve moisture. Avoid those that need mowing, shearing, and other maintenance. Some of the easiest groundcovers for sunny hillsides are:

Shady locations benefit from:

If you want more dimension and color, try some ornamental grasses. Plants for slopes and banks that provide this sort of appeal might be:

Who can resist a hillside of flowers? Either seed the area with wildflowers native to your region or choose some ornamental perennials that are hardy to your area such as:

Growing plants on a hillside may take some careful selection and a bit of babying as they establish, but the final effect will transform the slope and help stabilize the soil and other plants.

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Burning Bush Care And Maintenance

Burning Bush

By: Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist

Image by bstoner

Gardeners who want a burst of crimson color in fall should learn how to grow a burning bush (Euonymus alatus). The plant is from a large group of shrubs and small trees in the genus Euonymous. Native to Asia, this large bush has a natural open form that shows well in borders, beds and even containers. Almost any site and soil condition is sufficient when growing burning bush plants. Care of burning bush is minimal too, which makes the plant an excellent choice for even novice gardeners.

Burning Bush Growth

The arching stems are decorated with clusters of finely pointed leaves that droop appealingly from the branch. The plant is also called winged Euonymous because of the ridges that arise on young burning bush growth. These disappear after the stems mature.

The plant will get tiny flowers in May to June that turn into tiny dangling red berries. Birds eat the berries and inadvertently plant the seeds in your garden. In rich soils, even dropped berries may sprout and become new plants.

You can plant a dwarf form of the bush in small spaces or to minimize maintenance, especially since the plant’s 15-foot (4.5 m.) height may be too great for some landscape applications. There are two excellent cultivars, which produce smaller, dwarf forms of this bright Euonymous:

How to Grow a Burning Bush

Burning bush grows well in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 to 8 but can become invasive in the warmer ranges. Burning bush plants may get 9 to 15 feet (2.5 – 4.5 m.) tall and are suitable for full sun to partial sun locations.

Any soil type, including alkaline, may support burning bush growth. However, when growing burning bush, it’s best to place the shrub in sites with excellent drainage but lightly moist soil.

Burning Bush Care

There is little to know about caring for burning bush, as this plant is versatile and hardy. In fact, no special care of burning bush is required for a splendid color display. The plant produces only on early flush of new growth in spring, so you should apply fertilizer very early to maximize the effect.

Burning bush care also includes occasional pruning to keep the size down and remove any broken or damaged branches. The natural shape of the bush is appealing, so pruning is not necessary, but if you wish to trim the plant, do so in very early spring before leaves appear.

The plant has few pest problems or disease except some foliar fungal issues. Reduce overhead watering to combat fungal problems. Burning bush plants are occasionally susceptible to scale insects. These are scab-like white insects that only move around during the development phase. They are sucking insects that can reduce the vigor of the plant if they are in large populations. Scrape, rinse and control them with horticultural oil sprays or neem oil.

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Plants for sloped gardens | Gardening

Juniper x pfitzeriana

When we have uneven terrain, you must choose certain plants to make it look spectacular. Depending on the climate of the place, as well as the height at which we are, there are views that are more suitable than others.

Next, we'll tell you which plants are best suited for sloping gardens .

Rosa sinensis

In principle, the slopes can be a problem, but the truth is that you can have a beautiful garden. There are plants that adapt perfectly to the conditions of rocky terrain, such as rough y los cactus , and there are others that can withstand low temperatures, for example, most conifers (Pinus, Taxus, Cupressus). It is important that we are well aware of what conditions the plants will withstand: maximum and minimum temperatures, wind, sun/shade; In this way, we will enjoy low-maintenance green spaces and, in addition, we will save money.

Keeping this in mind, plants will revitalize the garden . And over time, you will see that you will not regret the terrain with slopes.

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Index

Plants for hot climate

The best plants for this type of type are the following:

Plants for cold climates

Now let's see which plants are best for cold climates:

Aeonium arboreum 'Schwarzkopf'

So, you know, use this slope to create an original green space.


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why are you so lucky to have him?

02/10/2020

If your site slope is less than 30%, it is easy to work with. More abruptly, it is more difficult, but possible. The main thing is to look at the problem from the right angle. We have collected solutions to the sloping garden problem and compiled a list of the most suitable plants.

The best thing to do with a slope is not to change anything. Nature has already given you land that a landscape designer would envy. Landscapers spend a lot of energy to build alpine slides on a standard six acres, and you are all set. It remains to correctly place each plant and plan the outflow of water. Now let's figure out exactly how.

Height under control

Zoning. The easiest way to correct for elevation differences is to divide a large area into levels. This can be done with the help of fences, logs or gabions - metal meshes filled with stones (you definitely saw these on serpentines or multi-level road junctions). Such a wall holds its shape well and does not allow the earth to slide. Gabions are suitable for steep slopes, and fences can only cope with relatively gentle slopes.

Sod. Works when the slope is small. Everything is like in the wild: the top layer of soil is held by the roots of plants. Clover, daisies, cornflowers or bluegrass are suitable here. They can be sown around the perimeter or between the beds. True, in the latter case, cultivated plants will have to be additionally fertilized - the sod will take some of the nutrients.

Press. Gravity will also help prevent the soil from slipping, if boulders are laid out on the site. Under their weight, the earth will remain in place. The effect will be added if ground covers and unpretentious shrubs like dogrose are planted between the cobblestones. And the site will become more picturesque.

Soil erosion

The main problem on slopes is water. It rapidly flows down, taking part of the soil with it. Sometimes the entire fertile layer disappears in a few years. To prevent this from happening, you need to organize drainage. For example, cover the slope with a mesh (drainage mat) or geogrid. The cells will trap both the soil and the roots, preventing them from moving.

Propensity test

Now for the main point - what will grow on your slope? The list of suitable options is impressive, choose.

Garden on the northern slope. Shade-tolerant plants are needed, because part of the site will be very poorly lit. Phloxes are your option, but roses are not.

South slope garden. Already better, but still not perfect. This is not afraid of the north wind, there is a lot of light on it, but the temperature drops are too strong. During the day, the soil heats up well, and at night it cools down sharply. Only capricious plants will not endure this, the rest will be comfortable here.

Now about the landing features. First of all, evaluate how steep your slope is. If the inclination is less than 15 degrees , engineering works can be dispensed with, but it is better to make an elevation from the ground around the landing hole. It will not allow water to drain, but at the same time strengthen the trunk. When the angle is greater than 15 degrees prepare a plant support. Pegs will fit, drive them around and tie up the seedling for the first time. To be on the safe side, place a drainage net around. But if the section is steeper than 30 degrees , there is only one way out - to divide it into levels reinforced with logs or masonry. Only such terraces will hold the earth.

How to choose plants for a garden on a slope

For fruit and berry plantings, the middle and lower parts of the slope are suitable. Water drains too quickly from the upper ones, so houses and little whimsical ornamental trees are often placed there. It is better to stop the choice on weeping and creeping options. In trees, due to the characteristics of the landscape, the crown may be curved, so it is better to initially choose a pyramidal or clone shape. It is better to refuse high options - as they grow older, they fall more and more easily.

What to plant higher?

Trees. Suitable for those that quickly grow the root system. Pine, birch Golden Treasure and Na-Na. The columnar Vasyugan, President, Idol, Triumph will look good at the top of the apple tree. And the plum-cherry hybrid Aquarelle Black, it increases its yield on the slope.

Shrubs. What is a slope without a willow? The dwarf and creeping shrubs of Glauka Kallikarpa Halt, Creeping Nitida and Globular Dwarf will attract attention. And if you want to surprise your neighbors, plant a rare for Russia, but very spectacular cotoneaster (not dogwood!) Straibs Findling, Tangstead and Coral Beauty.

Grapes . The best vineyards in the world grow on the slopes. The vines feel great on the sunny side, especially if you build a wall or a decorative tunnel out of branches. The varieties Black Emerald, Paradise, Jupiter will look spectacular.

Blueberry . Its productivity at the top will only increase, because blueberries do not like waterlogging, but they need light. We recommend varieties Nord Country, Putte, Airlie Blue.

Flowers. Rhododendrons, as well as azaleas, will take root next to blueberries, they require the same care and soil composition. If you like more bizarre shapes, take a closer look at the Red Trail, Yukigoten, Pink Trail quinces.

What to plant lower?

In the lower part of the slope there is more moisture, but it is also colder - especially in frost.

Honeysuckle . Feels great in such conditions. The flowers of Siberian, Narymskaya, Malvina and Masha can withstand up to -5 degrees.

Currant . Black varieties are suitable: Ilyinka, Pchelkinskaya, Orlovia, Kalinovka. And red: Red torch, Tamara, Red Viksne.

Raspberry . It will survive even on very steep slopes, it is enough to strengthen the soil with a geogrid.

Rosehip. In nature, it grows just on an uneven surface and has a developed root system, so gardeners often use it to strengthen slopes.

Flowers. Dahlias Gelleri Valentine, Gallery Monet or Orange Nugget will do. And hosts in combination with Sea of ​​Dream irises, Chartreuse bounty and geyhers Plum Royal and Golden Zebra will hide any unevenness of the plot.

Don't forget the decor - stones, stairs or flowerpots laid on their sides. Stone steps or even an impromptu waterfall can decorate the site, by the way, it can become part of a self-flowing irrigation system, it works by itself thanks to the height difference - just lay out the hoses and make channels.

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