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Bank Planting suggestions please

Dave HumbyDave Humby Posts: 1,145
in Plants
We have a c1.5 high bank at an angle of around 45 degrees giving a slope of about 2m top to bottom. It gets a decent amount of sun but the soil is stoney and poor quality in general. It is very dry as a result.

Much of the bank has decent shrubs where I’ve improved the growing conditions but I have an area approx 3-4m wide where that is not practical so have to go with the conditions as they are. I planted Vinca Major a couple of years back which did quite well but I’m not a great fan and this year it died back a fair bit so I’ve given it the Chelsea chop.

Looking for some ground cover type suggestions. Preferably evergreen and ideally with some colour or attraction for beasties. Have planted some Vinca Minor but looking for something else.

Thanks folks.

Posts

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Do you like Bergenia? Tough as old boots, evergreen with choice of flower colour ranging from red thro to white and it gradually spreads.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • 1634 Racine1634 Racine Posts: 568
    I've had a similar situation recently.  Decided to go with Cotonaster Dammeri.  Not to everyone's taste I"m sure but great flowers fo bees in early summer and fruits for the birds in autumn/winter.

    Will cover quite a large area quite quickly and roots supposedly prevent erosion.
  • Dave HumbyDave Humby Posts: 1,145
    Thanks folks. I have a couple of Cotoneaster Horiztonalis already but will look at both the above suggestions.

    Just bumping for any further ideas.
  • Bee witchedBee witched Posts: 1,295
    Hi Dave,

    I've got a similar area and this evergreen geranium works well ...

    http://www.bethchatto.co.uk/e-h/geranium-border-types/geranium-x-cantabrigiense-biokovo.htm

    You'll only need to buy a few plants as it's a real romper. Mine is growing around some buddleias and doesn't seem to mind the competition. I never need to do anything to it.

    I also have this one in an area which is a bit more shaded ....

    http://www.bethchatto.co.uk/e-h/geranium-border-types/geranium-macrorrhizum-album.htm

    It is also very easy and has filled a large dry area under trees.

    Bee x


    Gardener and beekeeper in beautiful Scottish Borders  

    A single bee creates just one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime
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