Need help covering large steep bank...?

Question

im building a new house and it has a very steep bank all around a big yard. its too steep to cut with a lawn mower and it would take FOREVER! is there something i can cover it with that wont grow tall but will cover it so weeds dont grow there? any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. something that spreads by itself would be even better! Thank You!

Answer 1

We have vinca major http://images.google.com/images?q=vinca+... on our very steep hillside and it does very well.  Honeysuckle is another great choice.  Hall's is very fast spreading:http://images.google.com/images?q=honeys... You want something light and tenacious

Answer 2

A lot depends on what area of the country you live in, so that info would be helpful.  There are lots of groundcovers able to spread quickly, but I recommend a little everygreen ground cover.  It stays low and fills in pretty.  You do have to watch your ground acidity level and keep it correct to keep the greenery pretty.  Remember that if you go would lots of ground cover, you also are asking for bugs to come live on your lawn.  I would lay a weed barrier down before I planted.  There are some expensive nice ones that work really well as advertised, but I just use heavy duty contractor trash bags.  They have always worked very well in all my flower beds.  Good luck.  Sounds like you have a continuing project for years to come.

Answer 3

I love English Ivy but it can really get out of control.  You could try "Pachysandra".  It spreads quickly through it's root system, but doesn't get out of control.  It is a perennial.  It would say it's hardy because I have it in Florida and my brothers have it is Pennsylvania also.  One drawback:  it won't tolerate being walked on.

Answer 4

I have vinca major on one of my hills, vinca minor on another, and english ivy on yet another.  Vinca major gets taller than the other two, though.  All spread quite rapidly!  Good Luck!

Answer 5

English ivy works great