Planting on a slope

We have approximately 40 feet of 40-45 degree slope running from our garden wall down to the road. Can anyone advise of plants that will be ideal for this east facing slope, to suppress weeds and generally make it a tidy, low maintenance area. Thanks

 

Hello Liston, cotoneaster springs to mind, the council seem to use these a lot in awkward places, not too much maintainance and good ground cover.

 

I agree withn Celia on the cotoneaster especially " Horizontallis" I would also use Ceanothus repens.

 

Hi Liston

I agree with the other posts. Cotoneaster are hardy and cover an area completely. The white flowers in summer and then the orange or red berries are an added bonus.

Three I'd recommend are

Cotoneaster dammeri - which forms a tight, low carpet under a foot in height. It's stems will root wherever they touch the ground.

Cotoneaster 'Coral Beauty' - this forms a mound up to about 3ft and 6ft wide. It has arching branches that again have the tendancy to root if they are in contact with the ground.

Cotoneaster lacteus - Use this one if you want something that will give you a little privacy, as it gets fairly big and can be used for hedging, it can get to 10ft in both height and width.

You may also want to consider Rubus tricolor or 'Betty Ashburner'. These are related to brambles and have a similar growing habit, forming a mass of long interwoven stems that root when in contact with the ground.

Lonicera pileata is another low, tough low growing shrub that is often used by the council.

Paul

 

Maybe alpines would be a good idea?

After all most spread with ease and are evergreen and the little flowers on them are enchanting/

Also they are pretty cheap to buy and don't take years to grow into some really good sized plants and you could also plant some spring bulbs among them too.Hel.xxx.

 

Hi Liston,
Have a look at the periwinkles (vinca) - they are evergreen and spread well, rooting as they go. There are plain-leaved and variegated ones, and are in flower now - blues usually but there is a good plum one as well. Would look good along with cotoneasters.

Good luck!

 

Another plant I`ve just thought of is Exochorda " The Bride ".

 

Sounds as if you might need a lot of plants. If you want to cut the cost you could cover some of the area with ivy while you wait for the bushes to spread. There are many varieties, big-leaved, small-leaved, and variegated. Ivy is cheap, and could be free if you can find a spot where it is already growing. It is also tough and makes a good low covering that doesn't need attention.

 

I might be tempted to try heathers.

 

Believe it or not, I was going to say that. :D

Not in fashion these days but good plants.

 

Azaleas?