Good ground cover

[Notsogreenthumb]

There is quite an ugly hill in my front yard that when it rains sends water into my yard. I was trying to think of something to grown there to help the errosion of the land that is low maintence and inexpensice since its quite a LONG hill. I will take pictures so you will have an idea of the incline and post those tomorrow.

[neetanddave]

If you want something year round, it would depend on where you live as to what you might try.

Vinca will take over, so I rarely recommend it but it is great for filling in a large area quickly and low maintenance (can you say weed eater? :wink2: It does not die off during the winter here in the Southern US. Small blue flowers in spring, and the variegated type is nice I think.

Ice plant is also a nice succulent ground cover. Lovely little mint green plant with small purple flowers in spring. Does get a bit dull in winter here at least, but comes back well in spring.

[Steve]

I'm waiting for the pictures, lol. And the climate.

[Notsogreenthumb]

I live in Georgia so its hot here and we don't get much of a freeze. I didn't get around to taking pictures last night will try to get that done today. The incline in some parts are very steep and in others its not quite as bad. Its also all red georgia clay.

[Steve]

How about Kudzu!!! OK, OK, I know>>>>>>> :censor:

Seriously, some Junipers often work well on banks. They take time, of course, but seem to not be too preturbed about clay soils. There are so many varieties we use here for that, the spreaders might be best. Cotoneaster works well, I have seen them in Kentucky, used for the same purpose. Both root shallow and spread, thus their roots serve to retain a bank. Toni was also correct about Vinca Minor and it sounds like your worries about being overgrown are not applicable there. Actually, an excellent choice. Thus far, I would still need to see the picture.
This will sound incredibly naive, but do you guys have any irrigation? Drip irrigation could supply your water, even if you took it from a hose bib and used a battery-powered timer. I can "hook you up".

[Notsogreenthumb]

:lol2: I will pass on the Kudzu suggestion thanks though!!

We don't have an irrigation system as of now but once we get the yard gong that is something I will be looking into. We just had our house built and there hasn't been much time in the schedule for yard work. I plan on starting to dig up for flower beds and such when it cools off and irrigation will surely be needed. I will be asking for help when the time comes!! ;) Thanks for the help so far I will take pics when I get home!!

[neetanddave]

:lol2: I will pass on the Kudzu suggestion thanks though!!

Well CRAP! I had some in mind I was gonna dig up and send to you! :)

[Notsogreenthumb]

Here are my hill pictures!

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f304/Phenomsmom/Aug112006002.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f304/Phenomsmom/Aug112006003.jpg

[Anne]

Well, I am far from being an expert, but I think those kind of hills can have lots of potentials. Adds a height dimension to any design you'd put on it. I'm sure Steve will have some interesting suggestions once he's back.

[Karen]

I've seen people add interesting rocks interspersed with either perennials, or a low growing shrub. You could also build a rock retaining wall with a garden bed in front. :)

[Steve]

I wondered if your driveway runs alongside there, or is that the way down to the "lower 40"? I ask because entryways are worth investing a bit in, especially inasmuch as they are the first things one sees when driving up to your place. The curb appeal idea for resale purposes is huge on something like that and it does indeed help a house appraisal.
The idea of rocks is a great one. Interspersed along the bank, or even just at the bottom, like the picture below indicates, they "key in" and retain the bank. Also, for sure, the bank needs grading to a more manageable angle. That is steep city! The other virtue of rocks are that they take up space as well as retaining the dirt, plus, plants can be placed alongside and above them whose sole purpose can be something other than just for retention purposes. Perennials, succulents and such. They are cheap and can be used for color and variety amid the other massed ones.

These pictures show different ways of dealing with banks. The one is with rocks "keyed in" down below in a couple opf rows, then plants and trees above that. The others, one is covering the bank with just rock (although we did plant that later) or what they call "rip rap", smaller rocks fit together and holding a bank. Another was of the lessened slope and planted any old way you want, studded with riocks.

[noodlemath]

This is one that some would consider a wildflower and some a weed. I've seen it used on highways in Minnesota and central Indiana nicely, but it might be invasive in Georgia. It's tough, used for erosion on big roads, looks like a tiny magenta sweet pea (it's in that family) and if you mow it that helps control it - should just take a couple of years to mature, and then get nicer. It's invasive potential might be modified by the clay soil, I think drainage is important. You could throw in some equally robust self-seeder(s) (daisy?) and make this sort of a hang around the yard in your housecoat type of area. Mow it semi-annually. Here * is the thought of a daisy smiley - couldn't figure that one out!

[Notsogreenthumb]

Steve it does run along my driveway. And the driveway is really really long. I don't know measurements but I know that the cable company wanted to charge us extra to run cable to the house! :lol2: Thanks for the advice!

[maggiesgranny]

have you thought about some evergreen juniper? I think thats what its called, it spreads fast and covers plenty of ground

[Notsogreenthumb]

I really do'nt have a clue as to what we want to pu there. our front yard is very small and just on top of that hill is our neighbors property which makes it harder to work with. Thanks for everyones advice!! Wild flowers sound like a great idea. Anything to anchor the soil!!