Image – Flickr / manuel mv
The slopes can be a challenge for every gardener, since finding plants that can strengthen it and that, in addition, are beautiful, is something that usually costs. And it is that, yes, we can take it for granted that, if we do nothing, surely the seeds of wild herbs will end up falling on that land, germinate and cover them with green, but… is that what we want? It is certainly an option, but we are going to give you another.
There are a series of plants for slopes that have a great ornamental value. Trees, bushes (what we can call “false shrubs” or “pseudo-shrubs” because they do not finish lignifying), also of course shrubby plants, and more. Here you have a small selection.
Agapanthus (African Agapanthus)
El agapanthus It is a rhizomatous plant with ribbon-like leaves which can reach 30 or 35 centimeters in length. Once it reaches adulthood, its height is about 40 centimetersso we are talking about a species that does not really take up much space, so it is interesting to put several specimens together.
Its flowers can be bluish or white and bloom during the summer. They arise from a flower stem that almost doubles the height of the plant, so they can be seen from a distance. It resists frost down to -4ºC.
Cinnamon (Melia sourach)
Image – Wikimedia Commons / Anna Anichkova
El cinnamon or the melia is a deciduous tree that reaches a height of about 10-15 meters. It develops a very wide crown, up to 6-7 meters in diameter and can reach 8 meters. Its leaves are imparipinnate and reach 40 centimeters in length; They are green except in autumn, which turn yellow before falling.
It produces a lot of shade, so much so that it can be a perfect excuse to turn the slope into a corner for plants that don’t like direct sun too much, such as ivy, for example, or flowers such as pansy. It resists frost well down to -12ºC. Of course, its life expectancy is about 20 years, but it grows very fast.
Woody Cinnamon (Frutical potentilla)
Image – Wikimedia / Jerzy Opioła
El fivewood woody It is an evergreen shrub that grows, more or less, half a meter, but can reach 100 centimeters in height. You have to take into account that it branches a lot, so if you want to put other plants next to it, you will have to do it at a distance of about 40 centimeters.
It blooms in spring producing numerous yellow flowers. These arise at the top of some branches, and measure about 2-3 centimeters in diameter. It resists up to -20ºC.
Grass of San Juan (Hypericum perforatum)
Image – Flickr / Ettore Balocchi
La Grass of San Juan is a perennial herbaceous plant that reaches a height of 80 centimeters. It has green leaves, and produces yellow flowers during the summer. It is a low-maintenance plant of great beauty, which looks great on sunny slopes.
It does not need much maintenance, although it is important that the land has good drainage so that it can grow. Withstands up to -7ºC.
Maidenweed (vinca major)
La maiden grass It is a shrubby evergreen plant reaches a height of 1 meter. Its leaves are green, about 6 centimeters long and end in a point. Its flowers are relatively small, about 3 centimeters in diameter, and lilac with a white center. These sprout during the spring.
It is a plant that looks great on slopes, where it grows without any problem. Also, you have to take into account that it can be in both full sun and partial shade. It resists up to -10ºC.
China soap dish (Koelreuteria paniculata)
El china soap dish It is a deciduous tree that reaches 7 meters in height. Its crown is wide, but not too wide since it is about 3-4 meters wide. This is populated by pinnate green leaves which measure up to 40 centimeters long. But without a doubt its greatest attraction is its flowers: they appear in spring, grouped in terminal panicles up to 40 centimeters long, and they are yellow.
It is a very little or not at all demanding plant, which only needs to be in a sunny place and with a temperate climate, with frosts. It resists up to -18ºC.
Juniper horizontal
Image – Wikimedia Commons / David J. Stang
The Juniper horizontal It is a low-growing evergreen conifer, since does not usually exceed one meter in height. The branches are very long, reaching 2-3 meters in length. As these grow to the sides, it is a plant that serves to cover the ground a little.
The most interesting thing is that it can be both in full sun and in shade, and even near the sea. It tolerates drought well and frosts down to -10ºC.
Lavender (Lavandula sp)
All varieties of lavender They are great plants for slopes. They reach an approximate height of 1 meter by more or less the same widthand bloom throughout the spring and summer. If you plant them in a sunny area, you will surely make the slope look spectacular.
And the best thing is that they resist drought very well, as well as frosts of up to -7ºC, so you won’t have to worry about anything.
Plumbago (plumbago auriculata)
El plumbago or blue jasmine is an evergreen shrub that not only grows fast, but also »only» reaches a height of about 2 meters As long as you let it grow on its own. Even so, it resists pruning very well, so you can have it lower if you wish. It blooms during spring and summer, producing blue or white flowers.
Now, if you want it to be good, it is important that you put it in a sunny area, since in the shade it will have a hard time producing its beautiful flowers. Withstands cold and frost down to -7ºC.
Stachys byzantina
Image – Wikimedia / Jean-Pol GRANDMONT
The Stachys byzantina is a perennial herb that reaches a height of about 70 centimeters. Its stems are erect and both these and its flowers are covered with greyish hairs that are soft to the touch. It doesn’t produce many leaves, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t pretty; in fact, not only is it, but it is also very easy to care for.
But it is necessary that it be in a sunny place and that it be watered rather little, since if there is something that it can fear, it is excess water in its roots. It resists up to -10ºC.
What do you think of the slope plants that we have presented here?
