Plants for Slopes and Hillsides

Spread the word on this fast growing delight. A low growing habit, lustrous green leaves on trailing stems, and a profusion of star-like blue flowers in spring make Dwarf Periwinkle one of the best ground covers for a shady slope. Adaptable to full sun, shade and semi-shaded areas, this evergreen looks good year-round.colorful plants listed here.

A seaside classic, give Pride of Madeira room to roam and you’ll have a sea of tall blue flower spikes in spring and summer. This native of the Mediterranean is magnificent and easy to grow, quickly spreading by reseeding. Highly attractive to bees and other pollinating insects.

Mounds of graceful branches sporting dense, bright green, needlelike foliage are gorgeous displayed on a bank. Showy pink and white flower clusters bloom from winter into spring. Requires full sun for best bloom.

For a wild coastal look, cover a slope in Dune Sedge for a rippling meadow-like effect. This coastal native spreads by rhizomes, forming a solid carpet of green. Water and trim only occasionally to keep it thick and tidy.

The lacy beauty of its silvery foliage belies the fact that this is one of the hardiest and strongest Artemisias. Highly fragrant and drought tolerant, Powis Castle brings a soft touch to the landscape, growing to a billowing mound up to 10 feet in diameter. Prune to shape or let it grow wild and untamed.

Now this is a poppy. The magnificent flowers have white petals the texture of crepe paper with a bright yellow center. Growing to 8 feet tall, the Matilija Poppy handles coasts and canyons with ease. Cut the old growth to the ground in late fall for a fresh round of foliage and flowers in the spring. Quickly spreads by rhizomes.

Common Yarrow has been planted for centuries with good reason. Beautiful, tough and fragrant, the hardy yarrow loves full sun and gritty, fast draining soil. Compact clusters of flowers sway at the top of each stem from spring through summer. Stems are covered with deep green fernlike foliage.

Let's have some applause for these 'paws'. The buttery yellow flowers with red stems on this Kangaroo Paw provide almost endless color from spring to fall. Groom by cutting spent flowers and old leaves as low as possible to provide room for new stalks to emerge.

Forget the ruby slippers. Just plant this lush emerald ground cover. 'Emerald Carpet' is valued for its dense, deep green foliage and rapid growth. This coastal native thrives with little water and well-draining soil for a fresh green appearance year-round. Inland, give it a bit of afternoon shade and the occasional deep watering.

Got a rocky slope – Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper will go wild for it, imitating a miniature wilderness as it harks back to its origins in the mountains of Japan. This ground hugging juniper has finely textured bluish green foliage and rugged bark. Winter foliage has a purple tint.

Imagine a hillside covered with mounds of glossy green leaves and tender clusters of blue flowers in the spring. Energetic and graceful, California Lilac spreads happily and quickly over banks. Drought tolerant, this coastal native is just as happy in full sun as light shade.

Give your color palette a kick with huge clusters of upright chartreuse flowers that contrast nicely with the blue-green foliage of Mediterranean Spurge. Cut spent flowers at the base to make room for new growth, but wear gloves to avoid the irritating white sap.