Just had trees removed and decades of leaves and branches cleared on this side of my house. It's a slope up hill.
It gets lots of sun. If I leave it alone, I expect weeds, brush etc to take over.
Are wildflowers a good idea here in the Northeast, and what will it look like in the winter? A bunch of dead stuff?
Open to any ideas at all.
by BunkyFlintsone
11 Comments
Also interested to see the suggestions
Creeping thyme (Lots). Would look amazing , Start in peat moss pods then plant once germination appears
I would do Gro-Low Fragrant Sumac as a groundcover. It’s a native plant, it’s supposed to be great on hillsides and looks gorgeous in fall. Probably not so much in winter but three seasons is not bad.
If you want evergreens, maybe Gray Owl Juniper. It looks nice with Pink Muhly Grass which as deep roots so can prevent erosion.
Also, just wanted to note that dead flowers can look good in winter if you choose some that have interesting seedheads or structure.
Now that you’ve cleared it to bare dirt tons of weeds are gonna take the opportunity and grow like crazy!
I recommend a few truckloads load of local mulch, Nice 4 inch thick layer except around existing plants.
Eastern ninebark is a maintenance free plant that puts down very deep roots.
Other deep rooted plants: false indigo, various native grasses like sea oats and bluestem.
I might put in something really aggressive to stabilize the soil while the woody plants and grasses are establishing: packera aurea, Canada anenome, ruellia humilis, obedient plant. Maybe even plant some annuals. Jewelweed is native.
All of these recommendations are native where I live, but double check to see if they’re native where you live.
Do something non-plant for erosion control, and real soon! This should have been in the plan before exposing the soil.
For now, look into erosion control wattles and stake them across the slopes. That and Jute erosion control mesh will help.
You can also DIY It by staking saplings and branches across the slope and stuffing behind them with more vegetation.
Is it a good area for rhododendron bushes? We have a bunch of those on a similar back hill, and they’re nice since they cover a good amount of space and keep their leaves in the winter. The rest is a mix of shrubs, flowers, and ferns, with moss on the ground and a few mulched areas. We mostly let it do its own thing, except for blowing all of the leaves clear in the spring. Ours may be more shaded than yours though since the slope is north/west facing.
Blueberries
There is no such thing as “no maintenance” landscaping, even a concrete wall needs some forM of regular upkeep.
Just design something you like and pay someone to manage it if you won’t.
No maintenance idea: leave the hill alone, don’t clear it.
I’d do a retaining wall.