Plants for slope stabilisation in sun
Plenty of plants, of a variety of shapes, sizes and colours, thrive on slopes that are not stable, so it's possible to create a full and attractive border even in these sometimes challenging conditions
Quick facts
- Sloping soil can be prone to slippage
- The root systems of plants can be used to hold soil together and stabilise slopes
- Sunny slopes often get more sun than level ground requiring sun tolerant plants
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The planting plan
This planting design for a challenging location provides a range of plants that once established will thrive in a sloping environment and help to stabilise the soil while still providing a variety of interest throughout the year.
Plants for a slope in sun
© James Lawrence
Choosing plants to stabilise sunny slopes
The Crocosmia and Agastache have a shallow but spreading root system which helps bind the soil surface.
The Thymus helps cover ground therefore reducing erosion and the winds drying effect on exposed soil. They will also help prevent unwanted plants from self-seeding by reducing areas of bare soil.
Right plant right place is essential here as plants unable to cope with the sharp drainage and sunny aspect will show signs of stress and will need higher inputs of resources such as water.
Additional organic mulching can further help with soil moisture retention and weed suppression.
1 - Crocosmia ‘Carmine Brilliant’
2 - Genista ‘Porlock’
3 - Ceanothus ‘Blue Mound’
4 - Ceanothus ‘Dark Star’
5 - Genista lydia
6 - Cistus x purpureus
7 - Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’
8 - Thymus pulegioides 'Aureus'
1 - Crocosmia ‘Carmine Brilliant’ - a clump forming, herbaceous perennial with mid-green, blade-like leaves. Arching flower stems bear an abundance of red buds that develop into long-lasting and intense, dark orange, tubular flowers with a yellow throat marked with reddish blotches from mid to late summer.
2 - Genista ‘Porlock’ - a semi-evergreen shrub with small leaves and racemes of fragrant, bright yellow flowers in spring.
3 - Ceanothus ‘Blue Mound’ - a bushy medium-sized evergreen shrub of broad, dense habit, with glossy oblong-ovate leaves and compact heads of small bright blue flowers in late spring.
4 - Ceanothus ‘Dark Star’ - a spreading evergreen shrub with dark green, ovate leaves and clusters of deep blue-purple flowers on arching branches in late spring.
5 - Genista lydia - a compact deciduous dwarf shrub with arching or trailing branches. Leaves small, flowers pea-like, bright yellow, in terminal clusters in early summer.
6 - Cistus x purpureus - a small, bushy evergreen shrub with narrow, dull green leaves. Flowers are purplish-pink with large deep red blotch at the base.
7 - Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’ - an upright deciduous perennial forming a clump of leafy stems, with dense, interrupted spikes of small violet-blue flowers from summer to early autumn.
8 - Thymus pulegioides ‘Aureus’ - a compact, spreading evergreen groundcover with aromatic, bright golden-yellow, ovate leaves and terminal clusters of small, pale mauve flowers.
About sunny slopes
By choosing plants that are adapted to sunny sloping locations you can keep your border looking good, growing well, and once established they will reduce the need for additional resources such as watering.
A simple planting plan helps create depth, interest and good coverage in a border.
The challenge of growing plants in sloping locations
Why choose a sustainable planting combination?
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