Plants for slope stabilisation in part shade

Plenty of plants, of a variety of shapes, sizes and colours, thrive on slopes that are not stable, so it's possible to create a full and attractive border even in these sometimes challenging conditions

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Shallow spreading root systems can help reduce soil erosion
Shallow spreading root systems can help reduce soil erosion

Quick facts

  • Sloping soil can be prone to slippage
  • The root systems of plants can be used to hold soil together and stabilise slopes
  • Shady slopes often get less sun than level ground requiring shade tolerant plants

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The planting plan

James Lawrence, RHS Principal Horticultural Advisor, has designed this simple, attractive, and most importantly, sustainable, border design for you to try at home with plants that are easy to grow, widely available and look good together. 
This planting design for a challenging location provides a range of plants that once established will thrive in a sloping environment and help to stabilise the soil while still providing a variety of interest throughout the year.

Plants for a slope in part shade

© James Lawrence
 

Choosing plants to stabilise semi-shady slopes

The main function of this scheme is to help provide planting that can help to protect and stabilise the soil on a semi-shaded slope. Aucuba and Berberis are tough resilient plants that can cope with the shade and likely sharp drainage found on slopes. The spreading habit of plants such as the Mahonia and Euphorbia help protect the soil surface and can reduce soil erosion which can be more prominent on slopes with exposed soil.  The Bergenia has a fairly shallow but spreading root system which helps bind the soil surface. 
The Ajuga helps cover ground therefore reducing erosion and the winds drying effect on exposed soil. It will also help prevent unwanted plants from self-seeding by reducing areas of bare soil. 
‘Right plant; right place’, is essential here as plants unable to cope with the sharp drainage and sunny aspect will show signs of stress and will need higher inputs of resources such as water. 
Additional organic mulching can further help with soil moisture retention and weed suppression. 
1 - Euphorbia ‘Whistleberry Garnet’
2 - Berberis darwinii ‘Compacta’
3 - Aucuba ‘Crotonifolia’
4 - Mahonia ‘Apollo’ 
5 - Ajuga ‘Catlins Giant’
6 - Bergenia ‘Eroica’
1 - Euphorbia ‘Whistleberry Garnet’ - a compact, evergreen perennial, with red-flushed leaves and stems, and yellow-green flowers with a bright red eye in spring.
2 - Berberis darwinii ‘Compacta’- small, densely-packed, sparsely spined leaves, red-tinged in spring. Hanging sprays of small orange flowers with touches of red appear in spring, followed by bunches of blue-black berries.
3 - Aucuba ‘Crotonifolia’ - an evergreen shrub with large leathery leaves heavily spotted and blotched with deep yellow. Small purple flowers are followed by bright red berries when pollinated. 
4 - Mahonia ‘Apollo’ - a low, spreading small evergreen shrub with glossy deep green pinnate leaves becoming purplish in winter. In early spring abundant deep yellow flowers in large clusters are produced followed by black berries in late summer / autumn. 
5 - Ajuga ‘Catlins Giant’ - a semi-evergreen perennial forming a mat of large, glossy purple-brown leaves and erect spikes up to 30cm in height, with blue flowers.
6 - Bergenia ‘Eroica’ - an evergreen perennial with vivid purple-pink flowers in spring that appear on tall, red stems, held above bronze-green leaves that redden in winter. A very floriferous cultivar with good frost-resistance. 

About semi-shady slopes

Sloping semi-shaded locations can have more acute drainage with soil vulnerable to erosion. This can mean some plants are vulnerable to drying and damage from root disturbance. 
By choosing plants that are adapted to semi-shaded sloping locations you can keep your border looking good, growing well, and once established they will reduce the need for additional resources such as watering. 
A simple planting plan helps create depth, interest and good coverage in a border. 

The challenge of growing plants in sloping locations

Semi-shaded slopes can offer plants some daylight, and more acute drainage as water runs down the slope. This can result in plants being unable to get the moisture they need. The soil in slopes can be vulnerable to erosion resulting in a difficult root environment for the plants. 

Why choose a sustainable planting combination?

Using the ethos of 'right plant, right place' to create a sustainable planting combination is great for the environment. It helps avoid waste and the use of products and practices needed to try and help ailing plants, such as the application of fertiliser. It also creates robust, long-lived planting that benefits soil health and garden biodiversity. 

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