Re: Plants for steep slope
- Subject: Re: Plants for steep slope
- From: j*
- Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2001 15:40:39 -0400
On 26 Oct 2001, at 0:44, Don Martinson wrote:
> There is currently no garage, but this area may some day be dug out
> to accommodate one. Therefore, I'd rather find some smaller shrubs
> or perennials, rather than trees to stabilize and cover the slope.
> the slope faces west so gets morning shade and afternoon sun.
Hi Don.
Option 1: I realize that Madison & Milwaukee aren't the same
climatically nor does your little hillside constitute prairie, however,
you can get lots for native plant choices for little outlay in the general
vicinity.
You could do a quick sowing of a low-grass like little bluestem to
start with. That would help with initial weed supression. Then you
could collect some other low-prairie grasses, a few of the *huge*
variety of Asteraceae like Boltonia, grey coneflower, small-flowered
asters (like calico), wild geranium will romp over that hillside with
abandon ... those are just examples. I can come up with a real list
(and provide significant contributions, as well) if you're interested. (I
was involved in a prairie restoration project in Madison a few years
ago, hence my familiarity .... from New Joisey.)
The only trick with using native plants is keeping them moist for the
first few years. Once they develop their deep roots, you need not
bother with them again.
Option 2: just make a tapestry of junipers of different forms, shades
& heights. You can plant some really dense, tough, fast-growing
perennials, like variegated bishop's weed (aegopodium), Lychnis
coronaria oculata (rose campion) or a Teucrium (germander) to fill the
spaces while the junipers spread. They should be able to kill it off as
they spread. Here, many of the larger & better nurseries have
woodies on sale ... big sales .... almost as if they don't know this is
the best time to plant them. You can also find a few of the
commoner Chamaecyparis (mainly C. obtusa) reasonably
inexpensively.
Option 3: If you want to actually make it gorgeous, add well-placed
local stone & plant a tapestry of hardy heaths & heathers.
There's more someplace in my brain but I'm beat for the nonce.
best,
jaime
NW NJ,USDA zone 6/5
Gardening ... Naturally
http://www.jaimek.com
"In human society, thinking is the greatest transgression.
Critical thinking is the utmost subversion." -Philip Roth
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