
Groundcover for a Sun-drenched Slope
I live in Zone 5. What are some good choices of groundcover that will give us the best results for covering a sun-drenched slope?
Creeping junipers, gro-low fragrant sumac and snowberry (Symphoicarpos) are short shrubs often used for this purpose. Native grasses and prairie plants can create a beautiful hillside while controlling erosion. Little bluestem and prairie dropseed are a few of the lower growing prairie grasses to consider. Barrenstrawberry (Waldsteinia fragaroides), wineleaf cinquefoil (Potentilla tridentata), bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), sedums and creeping phlox are more traditional groundcovers that take full sun. No matter what groundcover you choose, site preparation is critical. If the soil is in good shape consider killing off the existing vegetation and leaving it in place to stabilize the bank and serve as a mulch. Then plant through this layer of dead material. Add a layer of shredded bark or other organic material that will stay in place will help conserve moisture and further reduce weed problems as your groundcover becomes established.
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