I'm looking for ideas in what to plant on this sloped hill. I originally had plans to cover it with trailing Petunias from NCFarms once the plugs (transferred to larger containers and protected) are ready for the brave open world in early to mid May.

The ares gets full sun. Probably on the order of 7-8 hours mid June to late September. Irrigation sprinklers going in before mid April. Water pumped from creek. Soil tested at 5 to 5.5 PH, some amending will be applied with composted wood chips and cow manure that have been collecting nice micro organisms since last fall.

This is what I will have in quantity.

Purple trailing
Red trailing
Blue trailing
White Angelonia

They claim some Coleus I have ordered will fare well in full sun but I'm a skeptic. I could always try a few?

Types:

Golda
Oxblood
Rustic Orange

I worry, too, that annuals won't establish the kind of roots required to hold all of that soil in place.

Can you give us more information?

The soil doesn't move during heavy rains. I should have mentioned it is a rocky area with smaller mica rocks mixed in. I think I may direct a good portion of the sprinkler output at the top area(edge of woods) so the water seeps down slowly.

Here's what it looked like July 1, 2010. I think what that pic is telling me it is too dry at the top, one reason for the irrigation. Summer around here the past two years has been bone dry. Lucky if I see 4-5 inches between June and August.

I have considered some kind of tiered areas, but I'm leery about disturbing what's holding the soil in place. Incidentally this is one of very limited full sun spaces I have.

and i would suggest you simply let it go back to native weeds ...

seriously ...lol

its too steep .. you are not going to succeed with non-natives .. etc ..

contact your COUNTY soil conservation dist.. and ask them for help.. and if they can sell you native wildflower seed in bulk ...

ken

Gardening wouldn't be much fun nor very interesting without some experimenting and challenges. Though it seems like a really difficult site to those of use who are looking at a couple of pictures, you are the best judge of the possibilities.

I would avoid disturbing the native soil as much as possible. I certainly wouldn't amend each little planting hole with anything. I'd think that your efforts at amending the area would end up at the bottom of the bank! So, too, would mulch.

But there are loads of very tough non-natives on the market, worthy of your project. It would be fun for us to see another photograph of this area, taken about three or four months from now.

Coleus. I just threw that in as they're going elsewhere this season, but I'm surprised there haven't been any votes for the trailing petunias. Reason I thought of them is the fact they thrive in gravel around here, or on the driveway down below.

Yes, I think I will try some Vinca in several areas. Cosmo's gets a vote too. Poppies? Too late to plant eh? By the way, there's another area further down the driveway (pic below). The soil is is held in firmly by trees above the bank.

Now...this is steep. It should be an interesting project. I don't give up easy. I've had all sorts of challenges around here over the last four years. A good number of failures but plenty of successes. This is definitely the biggest challenge.

Similar soil but it had been amended. PH 6. Watered about 2 x per week when it was very dry.

Incidentally I have some trialing petunias left over from last year with the warm winter we've had. I'm testing several areas on the large hill to see how they do the next four weeks.

Maybe I should grab some assorted annuals at the local Lowes and test them as well before the planned start date in early May. Lord knows they have enough stuff around. The place is loaded with plants...guess they don't foresee another frost? I don't think I saw any Angelonia. Our last frost date averages the third week of April.

Here's some more info from my blog. Thanks for the thought of "will they do well with watering." That lit up a light bulb. Plenty of time to test providing the weather holds.

==>> perhaps because it takes years.. for it to become 'established' enough to be drought resistant ...

your original post.. indicated.. TO ME.. that you were a bit of a newbie.. on a new site...

but it now appears you have more than enough experience .. so live your dreams ... and report back often ... with pix ...

and good luck

ken

Vinca is not a plant that I would think of as thriving in hot, dry locations, but Catharanthus IS. It's one of those plants that I can count on in the most hostile of conditions....a non-irrigated parking lot island.

Probably need something that grows tall. I can now see some areas aren't suitable. I'm testing out some Allysum for the time being at the base of the small wall. One problem I have at the bottom is collecting enough soil to fill in as it's very low PH or 4.5 from my tests. All the better and easily accessible soil has been "farmed" on this property

I do have some perennials seeded last year in another location that are looking good. Maybe I can move some of those into the lower area.

Coneflowers
Gaillarida
Shasta Alaska

I also have some ornamental grass (panicum virgatum) from seed last year. That could be a good fill?

The current image is from the opposite direction of the original at the top. Looks like this is going to be more of a test year than anything, but hoping I get some success. By the way, let's get away from xeriscape for now. I even have problems with stonecop growing here. I have a good investment in irrigation going here. I'd just like to be able to get more moisture in here and see what works.

Thanks for the continued thoughts!

Partially bury pots up and down that bank, fill with appropriate potting mix and plant whatever you like! No need to worry about soil erosion (the pots will help hold back the upper dirt) or pH.

Of course if you planted a groundcover like Ajuga or Vinca Minor all around the pots (even the dreaded Ice on the Mountain) it would pull everything together and make it a cohesive display. My neighbor has a pretty varigated Vinca with 1" light blue flowers that is stunning and overhangs the stones she has around the bed.

You could always put some perennials in the pots too, but the annuals would give that splash of color you desire. Interesting pot shapes and colors could be used to enhance the display.

Maybe this unusual space calls for thinking way out of the box!

I've also noticed some Vinca Minor (the vine) I have that has spread nicely in just one year in another location. Probably throw some of that in there too.

Btw Peggie, it's not a puppy but a full grown boulder or two and it holds back quite a bit of soil. I'm also testing some plants suggested. One small Petunia is near to flower with all the warm weather we've had. Looks like that is about to change.

Now it's just a matter of putting all the stuff into some kind or organized manner. I'm the type that tends to move stuff if I don't like it three months later.

The original number of petunias has been cut back and planted above and below the PT area. Estimated; 60. No real problem with any soil erosion as the area is held in tightly with small rocks and tree roots from the area above.

Added is some Vinca Minor in the center. Four ornamental grass (left and right of center) Other annuals I plan are Angelonia in PT areas and some Verbena I found a great deal on.

Incidentally the test plants mentioned previously are doing great, but they had nice tap roots to begin with. These plugs will definitely need some attention before they become established.

I put some Verbena (three colors) in there though I'm not sure what they'll look like in a few months. I get quite a bit of conflicting information on how much they spread. I've been throwing this and that in since the last photo on May 1. One includes two annual (or so they say) Samantha Lantana that offers yellow flowers and a variegated leaf. I also planted four Dusty Miller. Both the Lantana and Dusty are planted in the center area.

Should be interesting especially the trailing petunias and how to keep them full looking. In other words, with the steep incline in some spots I suppose I'll have to prop them up with bamboo sticks (cut to 6-8 inches and stick them in the soil) so they'll spread out instead of trail downhill. It could be more of a "training experience" for them.

Rudbeckias? In another location further up the drive from seed. I'm trying not to buy as many full size plants as possible. Here's a pic of the Samantha.

carol

Rosie

I appreciate all the great ideas from everyone!

Ken