Shrubs are excellent choices for a hillside yard because they require minimal maintenance and look great year-round. They are also not affected by erosion. Shrubs look great throughout the growing season, although they do require spring pruning to shape. Listed below are some shrubs that are ideal for hillside landscaping. Here are some examples of each. If you want to grow something more unique, consider adding Japanese yew or a trellis.
Perennials
When choosing the best perennials for a hillside, consider the type of slope and amount of sunlight the plants will receive. A steep decline will support different plants than a gently sloping area. The soil type is also a factor, because rocky barren soil drains quickly. The plants you choose should also tolerate the soil type. Here are a few examples of perennials that grow well on a hillside.
Creeping myrtle is another perennial to consider. These plants grow in full sun and feature stars-shaped, blush-purple flowers that are striking against the darker green slope. The slender stems of this plant make it stand out among other plants, even on a hillside. Their foliage is also attractive and requires little maintenance once established. In addition to being low-growing, creeping juniper does not require any pruning once established.
If your hillside is covered with shade, consider planting dry-shaded perennials. A number of plants thrive in this type of soil, including Japanese painted fern, wood fern, and periwinkle. A variety of perennial lilies, daylilies, and lilies of the valley can be planted on the slope. You may also want to consider mulching the area, which can help to keep the plants healthy.
Ajuga is another perennial that can thrive on a hillside. Its bright purple flowers attract bees and other pollinators and is drought-tolerant. It spreads rapidly, even in part-shade. In addition to lilacs and hyacinth, it grows well in shady areas. It is also a hardy groundcover that tolerates full sun or part shade.
If you want to plant a plant in a shady area, you should consider climbing vines, such as hydrangea, which can be up to six feet high. They are a great option if you have no access to a water source. Despite their short stature, they provide a colorful carpet in the springtime. It also needs little water. In addition, vines such as vinca minor are shade-tolerant and spread moderately. You should plant them 12 inches apart and they can survive in USDA zones three through nine.
Shrubs
There are several factors to consider when choosing the best shrubs for hillside gardens. First, determine the soil type and climate. If your hillside is steep, you should choose a hardy shrub that will withstand the prevailing weather conditions. If the slope is relatively flat, you can use a softer variety, such as an evergreen shrub. The soil must be rich in nutrients, as the sun and wind can cause erosion.
Another plant that is great for slopes is Euonymus, which grows up to 8 feet tall with extensive root systems. It requires little maintenance and produces fiery red foliage in fall. A vining evergreen, Euonymus fortunei is a great groundcover and drought-tolerant plant. This shrub is also known as the spirea. While spireas are mainly climbers, they are also low-maintenance and attract birds to their gardens.
Aside from their beauty, shrubs are also excellent erosion control plants. These plants have spreading foliage, a strong root system, and are deer-resistant. The best ones also balance beauty and functionality. In the wrong environment, even the prettiest plant will disappoint. However, if you want to use your hillside for erosion control, shrubs are the best option. They’ll protect your land while adding beauty to your yard.
Ground cover
Flowering ground covers are some of the best plants for a hillside, and many have beautiful showy blooms. Flowering ground covers are also useful for erosion control, as their flowers can be strikingly beautiful. For a more natural look, plant a mixture of flowering ground covers in different colors, staggered in height. This way, flower displays don’t overlap and the slope won’t be barren for a long time.
Beach strawberry is an Asian native with small, white flowers that bloom in spring and last all summer. It is not bee-friendly but is an excellent ground cover, spreading by rhizomes and growing under trees. It bears edible fruit in the fall, with touches of red foliage all year. It is great for bird gardens and requires moderate water. This perennial grows to about six to eight feet high, with a dense matt of leaves.
Natural stone rocks are an excellent way to anchor soil and hold plants while they grow. This method also adds visual interest to the hillside and prevents mudslides and erosion. However, it is important to remember that this method may require a lot of maintenance in the early stages, but will become low maintenance after a while. Using natural stone rocks on a hillside is a great alternative to planting on a flat surface.
Shrubs are another great plant for a hillside. They require little maintenance and look great all year round. Some shrubs require pruning only in the spring, so they won’t be a hassle for you. You can also try building a retaining wall or terracing with horizontal paths. If you’re concerned about soil erosion, you can try building a shelf-like basin around your trees, which will prevent erosion and keep the slope from deteriorating.
Forsythia is a great plant for a slope. It can grow quickly and easily in full sun or partial shade. It has dense and hardy branches, and is a great deer-deterrent. Another great choice is cotoneaster, a fast-growing perennial with white flowers and red berries in the fall. If you’re looking for something fast-growing, try creeping juniper, which is easy to grow and thrives in part to full-shade conditions.
Japanese yew
If you’re considering planting a Japanese yew on your hillside, here are a few tips to help you succeed. This versatile tree can tolerate pruning very well and can be used as a foundation planting, hedge, or topiary. It thrives in sandy soil and is drought tolerant. A beautiful plant to add to any hillside or garden, the Japanese yew can be found throughout Japan and is a valuable ornamental addition to any landscape.
This low-growing, columnar tree can create an interesting contrast to other hillside plants. The mounded form of neighboring shrubs can be easily contrasted by columnar golden yews. Its golden foliage blends well with grays, silvers, and olive greens. Among the other plants suitable for planting on a hillside is a narrow form of Japanese umbrella pine. This plant will soon become a feature in the landscape.
A Japanese yew needs a neutral pH balance to thrive. Acidic soils will make the foliage turn yellow. You can fix this problem by raising the pH level in the soil before planting. Wet soils can lead to root rot. Overexposure to wet soil can lead to branches dying back. Besides, the Japanese yew is a sensitive tree, and will not tolerate a harsh winter or extreme temperatures.
A Japanese yew can be grown year-round. Small cultivars can make attractive ground covers. They can also grow over walls and suppress weed growth. Larger varieties can make great specimens and can also be sheared if desired. They also make great landscape plants, and they can be used as hedges and topiary trees. If you’re wondering what type of plant is best for a hillside, consider Japanese yew.