Difficult Terrain
Steep Hillside Landscaping
A landscaping steep slope can be a challenging. If a steep slope hillside is not managed correctly you will have erosion problems, especially in the rainy season. For landscaping steep slope hill you will need to put in a retaining wall to keep the hill solid, to retain rainfall and avoid erosion. The slope can be beautiful and interesting if you plan carefully, and it can add value to your property.
Tips and options for landscaping a steep slope:
- Terrace the hillside
- Make retaining walls
- Build planters
- Plant erosion controlling plants and mix with native plants
- Make sure the top of the wall is higher than the soil level behind it to prevent liability in case of a landslide
- Create a curved pathway or paved steps going up the steep hill for access
- Plant big trees near the bottom of the slope to prevent erosion
When selecting plants for erosion control for hillside landscaping it is important to use fast growing plants that have root systems that will hold the soil in place. Heavy plants are not a good choice for the steep slope because their dense foliage can contribute to slope erosion.
Here are some great groundcover plants that prevent erosion and beautify a sloping hillside: - Ceanothus griseus horizontalis, Carmel Creeper
- Cotoneaster dammeri, Bearberry Cotoneaster
- Baccharis pilularis ‘Pigeon Point’, Coyote Bush
- Artemisia californica ‘Canyon Gray’, Canyon Gray Sagebrush
- Carissa macrocarpa ‘Prostrata’, Ground Cover Natal Plum (also fire resistant)
- Ceratostigma plumbaginoides, Dwarf Plumbago (also as lawn substitute)
- Lantana montevidensis Lavender Swirl TM, Lavender Swirl TM Lantana (lawn substitute, fire resistant)
- Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Prostratus’, Prostrate Rosemary (fire resistant)
- Arctostaphylos ‘Emerald Carpet’, Manzanita Emerald Carpet (lawn substitute)
- Pyracantha ‘Santa Cruz’, Santa Cruz Firethorn
- Arctostaphylos edmundsii, Little Sur Manzanita
- Arctostaphylos 'Point Reyes', Bearberry
Tip: Ice plant is a poor choice for steep slope because their shallow root systems can not hold their heavy leaves. Heavy rains may cause them to pull down the slope. California native plants in bold.
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