natural looking groundcover plan (design issue)?

Question

I have a slope to cover, about 25 ft square. There is a stiarcase going through (a rather large long one). Soil is pretty crappy, dry, the site is very windy. I have a list of plants for windy dry sites, so that isn't my primary concern. I don't really want to just cover it with one plant but rather would like it to have some variety while still being extremely low maintenance (slope makes it difficult to get around). I know that I should plant "drifts," but not really sure what that means. And I'm not completely sure I DO want variety. I haven't really seen pictures or examples of what i want except for one yard that has only a carpet of vinca, with young aspen trees (not good plants for my situation, but I could find suitable substitues). It looks nice, has open lush feeling. But I don't want to plant any large trees to preserve a nice view.

I don't know. I need inspiration!

Answer 1

From a previous post I think you said you are zone 8, now dry and windy. Then look at www.highcountrygardens.com Many, but not all will be suitable for zone 8 dry and windy.

I'm wondering about prostrate rosemary, Snow in Summer (Cerastium), dwarf plubago (Cerastostigma), various thymes, "creeping"sumac (Rhus Autumn Amber), lamb's ears, Zauschneria......oh, you have many possibilities...if you lighten the "ground cover" thoughts to include small prostrate shrubs, and small floppy perennials. You will need a drip irrigation system so go for plants that really spread thus reducing the number of emitters and tubs you need to run. Getting all started will be tricky but the end product could be a lot of fun and beautiful!

Answer 2

vines are the best way to hold a slope, in my experience. but if you plant other stuff with the vine, you run the risk of the vine crawling over it unless the other things you plant are tall enough to escape that fate, like a tree or tall bush. so just keep that in mind when selecting. oh, and "drifts" are also called "naturalized" meaning grouped together, but not in a geometrical way, more of a haphazard "the wind blew the seed this direction" sort of way.

Answer 3

Well ,you could try to lay in timbers of some sort