Embankments are often a headache for home gardeners. But that doesn't have to be the case: embankments can be beautifully integrated into the garden as a special design element and attached with plants, stones and other things. In the following you will find out how to plant your embankment and which plants and elements can be used for particularly steep slopes.
A slope can be attractively fortified with shrubs and ground cover
Fix the embankment
A slope can be fixed with different elements. Plants are a very effective variant, but they only have an effect when the plants are well established. These elements will help to fix the slope:
- natural stones
- plant stones
- wooden boards
- branches
- plant mats
- gabions
- mulch
- shrubs
- ground cover
create terraces
On very steep slopes, just planting will not be enough. Instead, it makes sense to create terraces by setting low horizontal walls into the ground at regular intervals. Natural stones offer a cheap and beautiful option, and gabions are also popular due to the ease of installation. If you have leftover wood or branches, you can also secure the slope with boards or woven fences.
plant mats
An invisible variant is the use of plant mats. These are spread out over the slope and attached to the sides, e.g. with the help of stones. Then holes are cut in the places where plants are to be placed. To cover the plant mat until the plants have spread, you can cover it with gravel or mulch (€239.00).
Planting an embankment
Which plants are best suited for the embankment depends primarily on the inclination and the compass. While practically anything can be grown on flat slopes, deep-rooted perennials and shrubs should be grown on very steep slopes, which cling to the slope and thus prevent erosion.
A combination of shrubs and ground cover makes sense, since ground cover forms a kind of network and thus also protects the embankment from erosion.
Deep rooting shrubs for steep slopes
Various shrubs and bushes are suitable for planting on slopes. When making your choice, pay attention to the desired growth height and your preferences regarding the location. If you place sun-loving shrubs in shady locations, they will only grow poorly and may die. Conversely, shade-loving plants burn in the blazing sun.
| Surname | growth height | Winter protection needed | location preferences |
|---|---|---|---|
| broom | 0.5 to 3 meters | Yes | full sun |
| boxwood | 2 to 6 meters | no | Shady to semi-shady |
| yew | 0.5 to 1.5 meters | No, winter green | Sunny to shady |
| Firethorn | 2 to 4 meters | Rather no | Sunny to semi-shady |
| Common juniper | 1 to 8 meters | no | Sunny to semi-shady |
| dog rose | 2 to 3 meters | no | Sunny |
| laurel medlar (glossy medlar) | 3 to 8 meters | Rather no, evergreen | partial shade |
| mahonia | Up to 1.5m | no | Sunny to semi-shady |
| paper bush | Approx. 1 meter | no | Sunny to semi-shady |
| Thuja | Up to 10 meters | no | Sunny to semi-shady |
| bird cherry | 5 to 10 meters | no | Sunny to semi-shady |
| holly | 1.5 to 3 meters | no | Sheltered, partially shaded |
| witch hazel | 2 to 6 meters | No, blooms in winter | Sunny, sheltered |
You can find more suggestions for easy-care plants for your embankment here.
Water the hanging plants
Planning the water supply is particularly important when planting on slopes. Put an automatic irrigation system (32.95€) you don't have to worry about accessibility. However, if you want to water yourself with a hose or even with a watering can, you should create paths on your slope so that you can reach all places without any problems.