The best types of ground cover plants require little maintenance and aren’t invasive. To get the most out of this beautiful ground covers gently trim after flowering. It's tempting to page through a plant-and-seed catalog and pick the prettiest ones, but even ground cover can be finicky. Check out the USDA Plant Hardiness Map to determine your growing zone, and then buy only the plants that will grow in your region. 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. This attractive evergreen groundcover is also suitable to fit in areas in between stepping stones and around the base of trees, In place of gravels or shredded barks. Its deep-rooted stem system makes it survive drought. Many ground covers are available for slopes, including plants for full sun, part sun and all shade. Slow to start, once established it will quickly cover ground … Barrenwort (Epimedium species) 7. Periodically prune them to get the best from them each season. Slopes and banks of various sizes are quite common in both residential gardens and commercial landscapes throughout the Inland Empire. Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’ (Sedum spp. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. Before settling on a ground cover plant of choice, do your research. Gardeners find the different variants with multicolored leaves of curly or white flowers and twisted leaves more attractive. Get Rockspray Cotoneaster, Cotoneaster … They are in full bloom with colorful spiky leaves during late summer, yellowish in spring, and reddish-orange through fall. An added bonus is that deer won’t eat it. On steeper slopes coarse coconut matting or similar material can be pegged down so that the soil on the slope, … When looking for plants for a steep slope, you should consider groundcovers. This ground cover is a vigorous spreader and is hardy down to  -30 degrees F and features a beautiful solid dark green leaves that extend 8- to 10-inch in height. These ground cover plants act as insulators that offer a layer of protective coverings for the soil in extremely dry or wet environments. Most plant retailers list the light requirements necessary for optimal plant growth in the plant’s description or on its label. Perennial beds that feature trees, shrubbery, and bushes are great spots for ground cover, but don’t plant both at the same time. Although it is drought resistant, it can’t survive for long under constant dry conditions, so avoid planting them in hot southern climates because it suffers even under the shade. Not all succulents are prickly like cactus (the most commonly known type of succulent); other varieties feature soft, supple leaves, trailing vines, and bright, gem-colored blooms, such as purslane and royal dewflower. The extremely hot temperature is harmful to the sweet woodruff, but if constant moisture and shade are provided, they will thrive. RELATED: These Popular Plants Might Actually Be Bad for Your Garden. Maybe you have a steep slope … It features greenish needle-like leaves that blossom into sunny yellow flowers with mild blemish through late spring to summer. Groundcovers are low-growing plants that spread quickly, form a dense cover and help prevent soil … For shady areas, under shrubs and trees. 15 Fast Growing Ground Covers for Slopes 1. Even the berries that evolve after the flowers are black. Deep rooted plants help stabilize soil, trees add dimension and shade to prevent excess evaporation, and low growing ground covers cover up unsightly areas with ease of care. Some nurseries feature blends for slope … This plant is a real magic because it helps to prevent erosion too. 11 Best Plants For Covering Slopes and Hillsides. This article has provided you with excellent choices ranging from 1 to 15, fast-growing ground covers for slopes. Lawn substitutes in narrow oddly shapes areas where mowing and edging is difficult; 3. Space plants 3 feet apart in USDA zones 3 through 8. What works in one area of the garden may not be suitable for another. There are several types that you can turn depending on your needs. Suitable choices include golden Japanese forest grass, pachysandra and lilyturf; depending on your growing zone, dozens of others might also be good options. Lawn substitutesto reduce overall landscape maintenance; 4. Gazania Lots of color for long season. The lilyturf is an excellent dense evergreen cover plant that is ideal for slope sites or bases of large trees with extensive root systems. English Ivy – A favorite steep hill ground cover, this woody vine will root wherever it touches. The best plants for erosion control are those ground covers or shrubs that are vigorous, attractive, and have a root system effective at holding back soil on a hill. Nepeta racemosa ground covers feature a cone of full bloom purple flowers early in the spring that flourishes nearly all year round. Tips for Planting Ground Covers. With enough moisture and humus, acidic soil, it can grow on a rampage in cultivated grounds. RELATED: The Best Low-Maintenance Ground Covers for Your Garden. Mini Mondo grass (Ophipogon japonicus ‘Nana’), 9. Hypericum Calycinum St. John's Wort. Your home is most likely your largest investment. Use mulch: A good mulch will keep roots cool and suppress weed growth. If the earth around trees is bare, it probably doesn’t receive enough sunlight for lawn grass—but lots of ground cover loves shade. Creeping thyme id a drought tolerant fast growing ground cover plant that thrives in full sun The Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is a low-growing, low-maintenance sun-loving ground … When planting on slopes, mulch or netting may be required to control erosion until your plants are established. Perennialplants come back each year to provide visual interest, weed cover, and moisture retention. Based on preference, some species of groundcover plants are shade-loving while others thrive under full sun. This can be accomplished by digging a narrow trench and inserting landscape edging, such as Grass Barrier 10-inch Depth Edging (available on Amazon), to prevent ground cover roots from invading areas where they’re not wanted. 19. European wild ginger (Asarum europaeum) 5. For the best results, space plants based on their predicted spread. To maintain a colorful home garden and luscious lawn, one has to be intentional and consistent about the resources required, such as effort, time, and money. ‘Blue Rug’ (J. horizontalis Wiltonii): Well sorted out by gardeners for its blue foliage color, J horizontalis’ Lime Glow’: for gardeners whose preferences are yellowish-green foliage. Learn how your comment data is processed. © 2020 Gardening Bank | All rights reserved. Defined as a grouping of usually low-growing plants that spread over an entire area, ground cover creates a carpet of foliage while squeezing out weeds as a bonus. It is also drought tolerant. Ground Cover Plants for a Hillside. Groundcovers are often underused in landscapes. • Banish existing weeds, either by pulling or spraying with an herbicide and then preparing the Aubrietta deltoidea is a trailing plant that grows well on rocks. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Well, in this guide, we’ve given you 15 options to choose from. soil for planting. Moss phlox ground cover plant enters full bloom during early spring; its dense carpet spreads across the ground with flowers in colors of pink, white or purple. Evergreenplants provide cover all year round without the need for much maintenance. Gardeningbank.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Needs some replacement over time but a very good ground cover. They are used to control erosion on steep slopes. • Do not till steep slopes, because loose soil can lead to even more erosion. Until the new ground cover fills in, it can be assumed that weeds will make their way into the garden. The weeping form (Forsythia suspensa) can be a particularly good choice for retaining soil on a slope: Where the … These plants, such as ice plant and stonecrop, store water in their thick leaves and roots, and when precipitation is scarce, they live off the water they retain. Ground Cover Plants for Steep Slopes Australia. Sticks, stones, and bark help fortify the soil against … Heavy rains and high winds are the main causes of erosion on slopes, and plants with shallow root systems, such as cacti and most ferns, can quickly be washed or blown away. Control erosion, especially on slopes where lawn grass is difficult to maintai… Lastly, they are excellent in areas where tree roots grow too close to the surface and prevent grass from growing. Poke holes in the fabric and plant the junipers, then cover the fabric with ​ mulch. In early spring, the creeping phlox features tiny needle-like, evergreen foliage that is covered by rose, pink, white, or lavender flowers. Deep rooted plants help stabilize soil, trees add dimension and shade to prevent excess evaporation, and low growing ground covers cover up unsightly areas with ease of care. Rockspray Cotoneaster is the best ground cover for slopes full sun because its roots will help to stabilize the ground on the slope thanks to its roots that contact with the soil. When life hands you short steep slopes … This mat-forming ground cover perennial grows best in hardiness zones 5 to 10. This mat-forming ground cover … Thread leaf coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata ‘Zagreb’), 13. Difficult to access, prone to erosion or dry soil, banks and slopes can be challenging for most gardeners. They tolerate various soil conditions and can grow on steep slopes. Hundreds of plants can be used as ground cover—including vines, grasses, plants with spectacular blooms, even low-growing shrubs—and they’re perennial, meaning they come back every year from their roots. Some landscaping ideas to use this plant for good ground cover is to prevent erosion on slopes, use as a colorful edging border, or have foliage under trees or shrubs. Although low-growing, spreading plants are a common choice for ground cover plants for sloping gardens, shrubs and bushes can add visual interest and root deeply for added erosion control. These needle-like ground covers are available in several cultivars and species of differing leave color, height, composition, and form. For example, a plant that does well on the West Coast may not survive bitter New England winters. Instead, after removing weeds dig a hole for each plant the same depth as the plant’s root ball and twice as wide. But there are very good reasons why you might want something other than lawn to carpet the ground. Ceanothus prostratus. This species is known as the most tolerant of humidity and heat. Read Also: Growing Citronella Plant From Cutting. The creeping myrtle (Vinca minor) falls in the category of shade-loving ground covers. The English ivy is a shade-loving plant that does well in zones 4 to 9. I prefer coir fiber or shredded redwood, which has a more fur-like quality. Perfect for a low-maintenance garden. In early summer, it features abundant clusters of aromatic, white, star-shaped flowers, which transforms into a neat short-framed, star-shaped forest green leaves into autumn. Squaw Carpet is an evergreen ground cover that grows on open slopes and under Jeffrey or Ponderosa pines from 4000' to 7000' elevation. This petite groundcover plant is the smallest of ground covers, and they form vase covers over full-sun locations. Creeping ground covers are favorites between flagstones and pavers to create walkways with natural flair, but many plants can’t take being stepped on. Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum) 4. Planting them up with the right plants will help counter erosion, slow water runoff, provide quick … The leaves feature clumps of semi heart-shaped leaves with tones of crimson, vibrant yellow, or bronze flowers during early spring. Spacing depends on plant growth rate, immediate effect, and the number of plants used, which is usually based on cost. Most groundcovers are spaced from six inches to two feet apart. Turf grass is often a choice but consider the maintenance difficulties. Although not ideal as a fast growing ground cover for slopes… Read on to learn about some of the fastest-growing ground cover for slopes, their description, and required growing conditions. https://www.essentialhomeandgarden.com/ground-cover-plant-slopes The following list gives you … Its root system is excellent for retaining soil and thus controlling erosion. Center the plant in the hole and fill with good potting soil that contains an all-purpose fertilizer. Their ability to trap in moisture in the soil protects roots from drought or washing away during extremely wet seasons. A mixed planting of native grasses, herbaceous and woody ground covers, shrubs and trees, if space allows, is the best strategy for slope stabilization. This ground cover plant is of great advantage to other plants in the garden, because its protective covering will help protect roots from being destroyed by low temperatures in colder seasons. Some are moist soil loving, while others prefer well-drained or dry soil. If you had a 100 square foot area to plant, you’d need at least 33 creeping phlox plants in order to get full coverage. It thrives in well-drained soil, but it isn’t drought-resistant so, do not overwater. These plants will survive under the required growing conditions with minimal maintenance and supervision on your part. When planting ground cover to protect slopes and embankments, select those with deep roots that will secure the plant to the slope. 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. These plants are best suited for problematic areas like steep slopes. Mazus reptans plant is an excellent low-maintenance groundcover. Ornamental grasses, ground cover roses and … These ground covers are sturdy, attractive, and drought-resistant. Some groundcovers species are less sun tolerant and require less sunlight and less moisture and nutrients than grass. Groundcovers are low-growing plants that spread quickly, form a dense cover and help prevent soil erosion. Copyright © 2020 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. They are of great use in extremely dry or wet locations. Some jobs are better left to the pros. Useful for maintaining an attractive winter garden. The best solution to cut down on landscape maintenance and steep slope eluding control is the ground covers. The sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum) is a vigorous, shade-loving ground cover plant with a dainty look. For example, if a plant is supposed to cover a three-foot area at maturity, such as many varieties of creeping phlox tend to do, you’ll want to locate one plant every three feet. This ground cover plant is tolerant of partial shade or sun, Ophiopogon planiscapus Nigrescens is grown for the black color of the carpet glass. Another fast growing ground cover for slopes that grow horizontally and cover the whole area beautifully is the Forsythia. Using ground cover plants is a great way to stop erosion and add a ton of color to what might otherwise be a boring slope. They are low-growing cold-hardy ground covers that offer you landscape colors all year round because they are evergreen. Clumping plants, which produce several stems from one root, also work well. They add a beautiful carpet-like feature to the garden and resolve a range of planting issues in challenging areas. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. An invasive species can spread fast, beyond the area where you’d like it to grow, and you could spend years trying to eradicate it. Tips for Planting Ground Covers. Win a home water heater from A. O. Smith! Follow the Garden Path. This specie of plant is a fast-growing spreader with a growing height of 15-inch-high. In early spring, it creates a cone of purple flowers, and in the midsummer, the purple flowers transform into small groups of bluish-violet flowers arranged in a bunch rising slightly above the foliage. Planting in the fall allows the groundcover to establish stronger root systems before they are taxed by summer heat. If you choose the right plants, your ground cover can save you time and money in your long-term landscaping endeavors. In addition to appropriate plant selection, nonplant features such as terracing, boulders and retaining walls may be options to consider. A mixed planting of native grasses, herbaceous and woody ground covers, shrubs and trees, if space allows, is the best strategy for slope stabilization. It is frequently a matter of concern when we find ourselves with a gap, slope, or shady corners in our yard where nothing seems to ever grow. This type of ground cover is sturdy and, to an extent, fast-spreading, which makes it an excellent all-season round groundcover. https://blog.gardenloversclub.com/ornamental/plants-for-steep-slopes It features a dense, shiny, round hearted shaped leaves and grows little yellowish-green flowers in April and May which stand side by side, forming a close-knit cover and are deer resistant; this makes it an adorable groundcover. Turf grass is … To maintain, when back in spring, simply trim off dead growth to produce new fresh growth every season. • Loosen soil on flat areas by tilling or turning with a shovel to a depth of six inches, then apply all-purpose, time-released fertilizer per package directions. Nepeta’ Blue Wonder’ (Nepeta racemosa), 15. If the hill is big, … Groundcovers are low-growing plants that spread fast and wide to form a dense blanket on the soil. Maybe you hate mowing and fertilizing grass. Receive free, no-commitment estimate from lawn service professionals near you. However, … Since it matures to a maximum height of only about nine inches tall, many greens growers choose to grow creeping phlox on a slope. Evolve after the flowers are black not on your home insurance is a vigorous spreader... Professionals near you simply trim off dead growth to produce new fresh growth every.. 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