A properly planned garden on a slope can be a very attractive addition to the home landscape. If you own a property that is partly, or entirely, gradually, or even has a steep slope persents an ideal situation to establish a rock garden. Terrace formation, step type or pocket formations can be designed into the slope. Rocks can be used to build layers in which perennials can be planted. What ever you use, concrete, timbers, bricks or rocks will prevent the soil from  erroding. Place 2-3 inches of gravel in the bottom of the pockets for good drainage then top up with 4-6 inches of loam. Leave over winter for the soil to settle, top up settled areas in the spring then you can start planting. Once your plants are established you then have a low maintenance addition to your home. If your slope has a southern exposure you’ll need plants that are sun tolerent. The list of choices is quite long and with some coordination of varieties you can have an unending  display of flowers. Some of my favorite varieties are Hens and Chicks, Pasqueflower, Creeping Phlox, Dianthus, Rockcress, Saxifarge, Seathrift, Sedium, Thyme, Coralbells, Flax, Elephant Ears, Creeping Jenny, Cranesbill, Alpine Aster, Creeping Speedwell, Creeping Baby’s Breath, For-get-me-not and anemones. With this list of selections you have a varity of colours plus a wide display of foilage. A vist to your nearest greenhouse would soon yield plants suitable for slope planting. Some greenhouses have a special alpine section that supplies  unique low growing varities that are especialy suited for rocky slopes. Your choices for layout and design are infinite.

Happy Gardening

H. W. Kriaski