Landscaping a Bank.?

Question

We are working on landscaping our yard. I live in NC. We have a bank that isn't too steep, but too awkward to mow. I'm not a fan of how juniper looks on banks and would love something low maintenance but that has color. Nothing too large (as in height since it is beside the driveway) but does cover ground as this is a large area. Any suggestions would be great!

Answer 1

Evergreen strawberry such as Fragaria 'Pink Panda' or another flowering form rather than fruiting will rapidly cover a slope. Fruiting plants will also cover the bank but attract animals and be impossible to pick.

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consu...

Variegated gout weed (Aegopodium podagraria 'Variegatum') is a handsom grey-green and off-white. This one is very good for sandy soil even under shade.

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consu...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aegopodium_...

Plant the bank with taller sedums mixed with swathes of sempervivums, known as house leeks or hens & chicks. They come in many colors and textures so you can plant them in contrasting sweeps of color and shape. They are easy to care for and tolerate dry conditions.

http://www.nothyme.com/hensandchicks.cfm

http://www.smgsucculents.com/

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consu...

Dwarf Rhododendrons

http://www.rhodyman.net/rarhodydw.html

Dwarf himalayan sarcococca (Sarcococca hookeriana) is fragrant in the winter and evergreen so a patch would add seasonal interest but too tall for the whole bank at 1 - 2 ft tall.

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consu...

Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursil) interweaves its branches to form a flat mat covered in glossy leaves that are deep green in summer and bronzed-red/green in winter. It will survive heat and humidity with good drainage. Pinkish blooms in Spring followed by bright to dark red berries depending on the cultivar. This one is good for attracting small ground birds. They are drought, wind and salt tolerant once established but need to be cared for until then. Ht. 3-8”; Sandy, acidic, well drained soil is its natural habitat.

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consu...