by Suzie Wiest, Regional Marketing Representative
and Nicholas Staddon, Company Spokesperson
The Slope Approach
Some months ago, I remember reading an online article about slopes. And important to remember when we are talking about slopes, they come in all shapes and sizes. Slopes can bring out the worst in us, a sense of antipathy even. So, this remembered article I was reading online was titled, “Can this garden Be Saved? I have a steep slope.” Without a doubt, the mentioned garden was a challenge, however, of course, the answer was yes. Look at some of the stunning Gardens that have been created/constructed, and in some cases “bolted” on the sides of cliffs and mountains surrounding the Mediterranean. See Monty Don’s Gardens of Italy for inspiring solutions.
So, I asked Suzie Wiest, colleague, friend, and fellow plant nut, to give us some of her favorite choices for slopes, and this is what she came up with ...
For slope plantings, where you’d like to provide more control of the runoff to prevent erosion, varied plantings are most effective. A mix of trees, shrubs, perennials, and groundcovers create layers of vegetation, reducing the force as rainfall touches the soil. You can also add a layer of mulch to open areas to further reduce the surface activity.
Your site analysis of the soil, exposure, and drainage will determine which plants will work best, but below are selections with a history of excellent performance on hillsides:
TREES WITH ROOT SYSTEMS THAT HOLD THE SOIL WELL AND TAKE UP MORE WATER
Arbutus ‘Marina’
Arbutus ‘Marina’ — Evergreen tree with pendulous clusters of urn-shaped pink flowers in spring and fall followed by ¾” strawberry-like berries; As the bark peels away, the beautiful shiny red new bark underneath is revealed; Drought-tolerant and fire-resistant; 50 ft tall with a 40 ft. canopy; available in standard tree or multi-branch forms; Smaller shrub species of A. unedo compacta is only 7-10’ tall x 7-10’ wide.
Quercus agrifolia
Cercis occidentalis — Deciduous tree and a profuse bloomer with clusters of magenta pea-shaped flowers along bare stems in early spring prior to the emergence of heart-shaped leaves; Drought-tolerant and fire-resistant; 20 ft tall with a 10-20 ft canopy; available in standard tree or multi-branch forms. Hummingbirds love the blooms and birds love the seed pods. This is a favorite of mine too!
Quercus agrifolia — Evergreen tree with deep green holly-like leaves, a wide and open canopy, and massively strong trunk and branches; Drought-tolerant and fire-resistant; 40-60 ft tall with a 40-60 ft canopy; available in standard tree or natural low-branching forms. Native to coastal ranges, this is another excellent habitat tree providing shelter and food for wildlife!
SHRUBS OF VARIED HEIGHTS TO ADD TEXTURE AND SEASONAL INTEREST
Grevillea ‘Spirit of ANZAC’
Arctostaphylos densiflora ‘Howard McMinn’ — Evergreen shrub with fine textured bright green foliage, red bark and showy clusters of light pink flowers from late winter into spring; Drought-tolerant and fire-resistant; 5-8 ft tall x 8-10 ft wide.
Grevillea ‘Kings Celebration’ — Evergreen shrub with bright red and white bi-color toothbrush-like blooms on deep green, finely textured leaves nearly year-round; Drought-tolerant; 5-6 ft tall x 6-8 ft wide.
Grevillea ‘Spirit of ANZAC’
Grevillea ‘Spirit of ANZAC’ — Evergreen shrub with large blooms of velvety red stamens with yellow centers on gray-green dissected foliage nearly year-round; Introduced by Kings Park and Botanic Garden in Perth, Australia in 2015 to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of a battle fought by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) at Gallipoli; Drought-tolerant; 8-10 ft tall x 6-8 ft wide.
Salvia clevelandii ‘Winifred Gilman’ — Evergreen shrub with aromatic gray-green foliage and showy golf ball-shaped clusters of electric blue flowers late spring through early summer; Drought-tolerant and fire-resistant; 4-5 ft tall x 4-5 ft wide.
Salvia clevelandii ‘Winifred Gilman’
PERENNIALS AND GROUNDCOVERS TO COVER SURFACE AREA AND TIE THE TOP LAYERS OF SOIL TOGETHER
Achillea millefolium
Penstemon heterophyllus ‘Margarita BOP’
Achillea millefolium — Evergreen perennial with fern-like foliage and large flat white flower heads that rise 2 feet above in late April through summer; Varieties of apricot, gold, pink, red, terra cotta, and yellow are also available; Drought-tolerant and fire-resistant; 1-2 ft tall x 2-3 ft wide.
Baccharis pilularis ‘Pigeon Point’ — Evergreen groundcover with small light green rounded leaves; A male selection, it will not get the fluffy seed heads; Drought-tolerant and fire-resistant; 1-2 ft tall x 8-10 ft wide.
Ceanothus griseus var. horizontalis ‘Yankee Point’ — Fast-growing evergreen shrub with glossy, dark green leaves and bright blue flower clusters in winter through early spring; Drought-tolerant and fire-resistant; 2-3 ft tall x 8-10 ft wide.
Penstemon heterophyllus ‘Margarita BOP’ — This perennial hybrid has glossy blue-green linear foliage and luminous, true sky-blue tubular flowers spring through mid-summer; Drought-tolerant and fire-resistant; 1-2 ft tall x 1-2 ft wide.
Salvia ‘Bee’s Bliss’ — Evergreen groundcover with woolly gray-green leaves and whorls of lavender-blue flowers on 1’ spikes mid-spring into early summer; Drought-tolerant and fire-resistant; 1-2 ft tall x 6-8 ft wide.
So, there you have it, all plants should be easily found, we did not want to make the list complicated. Suzie and I both hope there is something in the mix for everyone. Several of the plants suggested are terrific for the birds and pollinators, so double your money so to speak. Important to us all, Suzie has included some fire-resistant selections in the palette as well. Good luck with your next slope.
Best from us both,
Suzie and Nicholas
Learn more about this APLD CA Silver Sponsor at https://everde.com/.