Landscaping Problem

I have a fairly large garden which is in need of a complete overhaul. The first part I am tackling is a steep slope which I have covered in a weed suppresant and intend to plant a selection of hardy perenials. My problem is knowing what I can cover the suppresant in. Chippings will slide and pebbles will roll. Please can anyone come up with a solution???

 

Most things you put onto a slope will be washed down by the rain. Maybe try a thick layer of bark but that will need topping up from time to time or maybe large pieces of slate or shale, how about small sea shells, you can buy them in bags from garden centres.

 

The only other thing is to plant ground cover plants so they "knit" together and form they're own type of matting. We call it Ground Elder lol :D :D :D

[ 22. January 2006, 08:10 PM: Message edited by: lisa0307 ]

 

i agree with lisa the sea shells are a brilliant way of covering slopes, they don't slip because they are irregular shapes, also easy to move because they are light. the other great thing about them is that if you have them next to a lawn if you cut over them they crush and don't chip up. try and buy them in bulk, cheap by product of the fishing industries.

 

I like the ground elder solution - glad to find someone has finally found a use for it :D

The other way of working with a slope is to terrace it. I don't know how steep the slope is but if pebbles will roll it must be about 1 in 2 or 30 deg. that means building 0.5m dry stone walls (+ foundation) 1m apart and then digging out .25m of soil on the high side and moving it to the low side to make a level. You continue this all the way up the slope making successive terraces. The walls are ideal for alpines and aubretia, lewisa etc. if they are are sunny or ferns and moss if they are shaded (north facing) and the terraces will be ideal for plants that like good drainage such as lavender. Roses or dahlias will usually do well on the botom run as they will get nutrient wash down and aslo a bit more moisture yet still be well drained.

It's a lot of work to get it set up properly but it definately make a lovely garden out of a problem site. I'll try and get a pic taken tomorrow to show what I mean.

 

Ouch that struck a nerve - I have finally given up my long battle at trying to control ground elder coming in from next door in one of my borders - it is now membraned and will be mulched. I would rather not have had to do that - but like the war with field bindweed from next door in the front - I was sadly losing yet again.

Hopefully the other beds will not be affected - but I am not holding my breath