8 Plants to Grow on Hillsides

• June 26, 2022
• posted by: greenhaven
• comments: 0

Whether your garden consists of a flower box on your balcony or extends for acres, it feels good to fill in negative space. Beautiful green plants that reach for the sun can add texture and vibrancy to any space. But what about things that grow “out”? Having beautiful plants that can cover a hillside or sloping yard is the perfect way to give that “effortlessly polished” appearance. 

However, it’s important to make sure that you pick the right plan. The wrong kind of plants won’t have the root systems to thrive on slopes. They can also make that hillside more prone to erosion. Luckily, there are many different kinds of ground-hugging, beautiful plants that can get the job done. 

To help give you some inspiration, here are 8 plants to grow on hillsides:

Types of Plants to Grow on Hillsides

Creeping Phlox

Creeping Phlox features vibrant purple flowers that smell amazing. These low growing plants bloom in the spring, covering your hillside in lovely lavender-colored blooms. 

English Ivy

English Ivy gives a classic, rustic chic look to any space it covers. Though slow growing at first, this hearty little plant picks up speed once established. A great option for willing empty space while controlling weeds. 

Periwinkle

Signifying faithfulness and trust, periwinkle is a top choice as a ground covering plant. The purplish-blue flowers this little evergreen plant produces are captivating. They also double as weed suppressant due to the density of the blooms! 

Dead Nettle

Dead Nettle is another good option for covering large areas. This fast growing plant is perfect to plant in any conditions.

Switchgrass 

If you’re looking for something a little taller to give your hillside some dimension, switchgrass is a great option. Growing up to 6 feet tall, this ornamental grass produces red and purple blooms that flower from July to September. Switchgrass is a great option for adding some drama and flare to a landscape. 

Russian Sage

This beautiful shrub produces purple flowers that bring color and dimension to any hillside. These little plants grow up to 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide, meaning that just a few can cover a hillside with ease. Russian sage is low-maintenance and tenacious. 

Prostrate Rosemary

Not only is this decadently fragrant herb great for sniffs and to add to sourdough loaves, prostrate rosemary is a great plant to add to a landscape. A single plant can cover between 4 and 8 feet of space and reach up to 1 foot tall.  

Creeping Juniper

As the name suggests, creeping juniper is exceptionally good at spreading out. This perennial shrub is native to northern North America, Canada and Alaska, meaning that it’s used to the colder temperatures we often see during the winter. They also do well in direct sun, meaning they should have little to no issue in the dead of summer as well. The blooming season for the dark blue cones of the juniper is April and May.

A successful landscape and thriving plants starts with good soil. Explore our products, then come into Walrath Trucking for all your soil and landscaping needs. We’ll help you find the right type of soil to help you achieve your dream garden or landscape. 

Come back to our blog monthly to get tips on planting and cultivating your dream garden!

Related reading

Choosing Plants for Sloping Areas – What Plants Grow On Slopes