10 Plants That Will Stabilize Your Garden Slopes And Minimize Soil Erosion

The best plants for slope stabilization will be those ground cover plants and shrubs that are strong, good looking, and have a strong enough root system to hold the soil on the slope and minimize soil erosion. They should have widely spread foliage to reduce the rate of heavy rain falling to the ground. You also need to be as unappetizing as possible for animals that might eat you. We have collected for you several plants that meet these criteria and are therefore very suitable for this purpose. Whenever possible, choose plants for both attractiveness and practicality. Even the most beautiful plant will eventually disappoint you if it doesn’t appear and disappear in the right environment. Of course, you also have to consider if you want low maintenance plants in your garden, or if you’re willing to put in a little more time and effort for the love of beauty.

Plants to Stabilize Slopes: 10 Plants That Stabilize Land on Slopes

If your site is fairly hilly or if you have steep slopes in your garden, it is important to stabilize the soil and minimize soil erosion. For this purpose, certain plants are very suitable, which, thanks to the character, structure and growth of their roots, strengthen the soil on the slopes. Also pay attention to the condition of the property and compare it with the needs of the plant. For example, does she need more sun or can she handle a shady or semi-shady spot.

Plants for slope stabilization: creeping juniper, groundcover, sun loving.

The creeping juniper, Juniperus horizontales, is a groundcover that needs a sunny location. It is hardy and recommended for zones 3-9. In terms of size, it remains quite small, up to about 50 cm, but reaches a width of up to 1.5 meters. It grows very dense and flat. This evergreen will brighten up your garden all year round. The root system forms underground tangles that help bind and reinforce soil stability on slopes. It is attractive and offers a romantic view of the garden in both summer and winter. What also makes the plant attractive is the fact that it is non-toxic and therefore does not pose a danger to pets or even children.

Soil cover against soil erosion: small periwinkle, small periwinkle.

Unlike juniper, periwinkle is a groundcover that can also tolerate shade. It stays quite small, 7 to 15 cm, and as the name suggests, is also an evergreen. The plant does well in zones 4 to 8, forming a very dense carpet. Another advantage of the beautiful flowering groundcover is that it is very drought tolerant, making it very hardy. The flowering period is mainly in May and June, with subsequent flowering possible until the end of September. With all this, however, you should note that this small canine plant is poisonous to pets.

Forsythia, golden lilac bush

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Although the silver lilac is not a groundcover but a shrub, it grows very well on slopes. It is a perennial herb growing in zones 4-8 and reaching quite large sizes, from 1.2 to 1.8 meters in height. But do not be alarmed by this, as plants can develop deep root systems and thereby compact the soil on slopes. Even if it has to grow sideways, it will still do well on slopes because they cannot disturb the plant. Where hanging branches touch the ground, they form very strong roots that penetrate deep into the soil, trapping it. This is how you behave like a groundcover and stabilize the slope. Golden lilac blooms wonderfully yellow in spring.

Plants for slope stabilization: Japanese Isander, fat man

Like creeping juniper, Japanese ysandra, Pachisandra terminalis, is an evergreen, rather small, leafy plant up to 30 cm high. It is a small shrub that grows very densely and forms a carpet. If you have little patience and want to see quick results in your garden, you can choose this groundcover. The plant grows creeping and quickly turns into a carpet. Its roots also form a cohesive web that strengthens soil structure and minimizes soil erosion on steep slopes. Although the plant produces dainty small white flowers from April to May, it is more visible due to its lush green foliage. The leaves are leathery, rich green, grow profusely and will undoubtedly decorate your garden. Japanese Isander grows in partial shade to shade. Isander requires little time and care and is completely undemanding. Be careful, it’s poisonous! So if you often have pets and small children in your garden, keep that in mind.

Spotted nettle, Lamium maculatum

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Spotted nettle has beautiful serrated leaves and small flowers. Its leaves are silvery in color and white, pink or purple flowers appear in May, June and July. The plant forms a curtain and grows in width, not in height. Reaches a height of about 15 cm and twice the width. It is fragrant and especially liked by bumblebees, attracting them and other beneficial insects. A partly shady or shady place is well suited for the plant. In winter, you don’t have to worry about the plant, because it is frost-resistant and can withstand minus 30 degrees. Zones 4 to 8 are suitable for planting.

Lily cluster, Liriope spicata

The lily bush, also known as ornamental grass, actually comes from the asparagus family. Growing to about 30 cm tall, the perennial is suitable for zones 4-10 and does well. They grow well in partial shade and brighten up your garden slope with their beautiful bright purple to lilac flowering spikes. The flowering period occurs at the end of summer-beginning of autumn in August, September and October. Perennial forms a carpet cushion and nest for plants. Thanks to this design, the soil is well fastened on the slopes.

Black snake beard, Ophiopogen planiscapus nigrescens

The black snake’s beard is an ornamental grass that does well in partial shade and full shade. It is easy to care for him and takes little time. Pruning is not absolutely necessary for the plant. Grass-like leaves form tufts over time that do not require shearing. In summer, small white-pink flowers appear. They resemble small grape hyacinths. In the form of fruits, small berries are formed, but they are very inconspicuous and have a purely decorative value, therefore they are by no means suitable for eating. They cope very well with soil erosion and do not like when wild animals fight them. Foliage color can vary from blue, green, purple to burgundy red. Zones where it grows well and perennial, 6 – 10.

Plants used to strengthen the slopes: carpet phlox, subulate phlox.

Carpet phlox or also called cushion phlox is a carpet-forming dense groundcover. This rug steals the show with its vibrant colors when it blooms. Flower colors can be purple, blue, white, pink and multicolored, announce spring in April and bloom until around June. Cushion phlox grows up to 15 cm tall and likes sunny or partially shaded spots in zones 3 to 9. Carpet phlox is a bee-friendly plant and the field is buzzing. Other good qualities of the plant are that it is hardy and also evergreen, so it always brings fresh color to the garden. The dense growth and equally dense root system binds the soil on the slopes, stabilizes it and counteracts soil erosion.

Devil’s fern, Osmunda Claytoniana

If you prefer a wild plant with rich color as a fortification of a steep, rather shady garden slope, devil’s fern or crown fern from the royal fern family may be the right choice. It grows up to 90 cm tall in zones 3 to 8. It is excellent for stabilizing the soil and minimizing erosion. The plant tolerates moist soil and is therefore suitable for the wet side of a slope. The plant is very durable and does not require special care. Spreading foliage has a rich green color. The crown fern forms a clump and spreads, so that only about 2 plants are needed per square meter. Pruning the stems in autumn is good for the plant. It is hardy down to minus 35 degrees Celsius.

Cotoneaster fan, Cotoneaster horizontalis

The fan cotoneaster is a small shrub that is one of the most suitable shrubs for slope reinforcement. It comes from the rose family and is suitable for zones 5 to 7. If you’re looking for something that won’t be too tall, this mini shrub might be the right choice for you. It only grows to a height of 90 cm, but spreads widely. The roots also grow together and thus stabilize the soil structure on the slopes. Another characteristic of the plant is its ability to form roots where the branches touch the ground and touch. Autumn color and red berries give a colorful and beautiful look. Small flowers of pink or white can be observed in June and autumn until December, fiery red berries adorn the branches of fan-shaped small bushes. A sunny or partially shaded location is best, where the groundcover can develop its roots and stabilize the slope.