A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2006 Suggestions needed for hill landscape

Hi all,
We have a large hill in our front and back yard that goes along the side of our property. Most of it is fairly steep. In the front I have planted some ground cover, snow in summer and Irish moss, separated by two large tree rings my hubby built, one holding a peach and one with a plum tree. Now in the back the hill is just dirt right now with the only thing planted being our avocado tree. Its a large area that sees mostly sun all day long. Any suggestions for a low ground cover that can take over quickly to add some color? I'm in So. Cal., zone 9. The area is watered daily by sprinklers. My dad suggested spreading some nasturium seeds. Any other ideas?

We are having my baby shower at our house on Oct. 1 and we'll be setting up tables and chairs on the back patio along the hill. I'd love to have something pretty for my guests to look at while they are here. The long term plan is very expensive; terracing the hill, building a water fall, putting in a large deck, etc, that will not be happening for years yet so I need something pretty and easy for the time being.

Thanks for your help in advance!

try lantana

there are several ground cover colors + some shrubs to break up the hill.

for GC try mixing yellow, purple, white. buy flats soon so that they will spread by then. they need to be watered to stay in flower. but they will flower all year.

the shrubs come in a lot of combo colors. pics

I was watching Rebecca's garden this morning and it showed two examples of a landscaped hill. They were gorgeous. One was terraced with 3 terraces all perinnals and a wide path to walk between each level.
The other one I didnt get to see extensively but
If you get a chance to see the episode it might give you some ideas.

Garden Gal, what about gazania? It loves it here and blooms all the time. BUT the flowers open only in sunlight, so that's something to consider.

Here are some suggestions. Places to start looking anyway. Goodluck with your landscaping.

Antennaria species, Pussytoes
Arabis caucasica 'Snowcap', Rockcress
Arabis x arendsii 'Compinkie', Rockcress
Armeria maritima 'Rubrifolia', Sea Thrift
Bergenia 'Appleblossom', Pigsqueak
Bergenia cordifolia 'Bressingham Ruby', Pigsqueak
Ceratostigma plumbaginoides, Plumbago
Corydalis 'Blackberry Wine'
Corydalis curviflora v.rosthornii 'Blue Heron'
Corydalis elata
Corydalis f. 'Golden Panda'
Corydalis saxicola
Delosperma 'Mesa Verde', Iceplant, Hardy
Echeveria 'Topsy Turvy'
Fragaria 'Lipstick', Strawberry, Ornamental
Geranium 'Johnson's Blue'
Geranium 'Rozanne'
Geranium r. 'Philippe Vapelle'
Glecoma hederaceae, Creeping Charlie
Hedera helix 'Glacier', Ivy, Variegated
Laurentia pedunculata 'Dark Star', Dark Star Creeper
Liriope m. 'Supergreen Giant', Monkey Grass
Liriope muscari 'Big Blue', lily-turf
Liriope muscari 'Okina', Monkey Grass, Frosted
Muehlenbeckia axillaris 'Nana', Creeping Wire Vine
Oenothera berlandieri 'Siskiyou', Evening Primrose
Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nanus', Mondo Grass, Dwarf
Ophiopogon japonicus 'Variegata', Mondo Grass, Variegated
Ophiopogon p. 'Nigrescens', Mondo Grass, Black
Phalaris a. 'Feesey', Ribbon Grass
Pratia angulata, White Star Creeper
Pratia pedunculata, Blue Star Creeper
Primula sieboldii 'Pink Snowflake', Primrose
Rhodohypoxis baurii 'Dulce'
Rhodohypoxis baurii 'Fred Broome'
Rhodohypoxis baurii 'lily Jean'
Rhodohypoxis milloides
Rubus pentalobus, Ornamental Creeping Bramble
Saponaria ocymoides, Soapwort
Sedum 'Angelina'
Stachys monnieri 'Hummelo', Common Betony
Thymus 'Pink Chintz', Thyme, Ornamental
Trifolium repens 'Dark Dancer', Dark Dancer Shamrock
Trifolium repens 'Dragons Blood', Clover, Tri-color
Veronica 'Georgia Blue', Speedwell
Veronica 'Sunny Border Blue', Speedwell

Hopefully something on this list will fit your requirements.

Wow, TK thanks for the list. I will definitely take a look at those.

Thanks to all for the great suggestions. I will take a look at the gazania too.

Rugby, I've had lantana in the past. I like it but my DH thinks its too tall. He wants a really low ground cover. Maybe along the top of the hill I can convince him to go with it.

Eventually we will be terracing the hill and doing much more to it. For now its just a brown eye sore that I want to spruce up a bit.

Thanks to all!

Kristen