Water wont absorb into bank

Hi, I was just wondering if anyone could help my mother's garden has a bank that's bone dry with no grass or plants that won't absorb water. When we try and water the bank the water seems just to run off down the bank and dosent seem to penetrate at all. She wants to plantferns along the bank but is worrying about how dry it is and how we can't seem to water it properly. I hope you can help, thanks Dean

 

It needs to be watered very slowly to allow the water to penetrate, maybe by using one of these.

http://www.easywatering.co.uk/acatalog/Soaker_Hose_leaky_pipe.html

Still wouldn't chose ferns to plant there though. They prefer a damp spot permanently.

 

These kind of places are only wet during the winter after prolonged rain.
I'd tend to go for things like perennial Osteospermums, Delosperma etc. that like very good drainage.
I think there are a few ferns that like, or survive, dry conditions but they mostly grow on walls.

 

Dig the border over and mix in lots of organic matter, then water regularly.

Not sure whether ferns would take as I don't grow them, but the aspect should also be considered, ie is it shady or sunny?

I have a very dry border and I go over it several times with the hose attachment set on 'spray' as anything stronger will run off.