Slope saver
Marley and Ted Asked
We just cleared a steep bank below our house to see our lake better. It faces east and will get morning to midday sun. We cannot cut this bank and want to plant something that will stay low and take over.
The Gardener’s Answer
Hi Marley and Ted, A view of the water sounds lovely. Replacing the trees on your slope with a groundcover will not distract from the view and will help stabilize the soil surface. Here are a few options for your east-facing slope with morning to midday sun. Wild ginger, Allegheny spurge (native Pachysandra), Creeping phlox, Crested iris, Foam flower and Christmas fern. These native species are low-maintenance, suitable for slopes, and can help with erosion control once their root systems are established. Plant in a diamond pattern to help manage water flow and leave the tree stumps to provide temporary soil stabilization as groundcovers establish their roots. All new plantings will require regular watering during the first growing season to establish a healthy root system.
Angie Oakley
Kentucky Living- Ask the Gardener
