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The Outback Gardener answers a reader's question about what to plant on a sloping surface.
WORDS CASSANDRA HOOKE PHOTOGRAPHY EMMA CROSS
We are starting a new build, and we have a battered slope by the house. What sorts of plants do well on a slope to create ground cover and limit erosion? We have good cropping soil.
Casey Dumbrell, Harden, NSW
Native grasses, rushes and sedges have fine, fibrous matting root systems that are beneficial in preventing erosion by wind and water. Plants that are great at stabilising soil and would be suitable for your setting include Austrostipa, Lomandra, Dianella, Ficinia and Poa species. Ground covers such as Carpobrotus spp. (pigface), Myoporum parvifolium (boobialla), Hardenbergia spp. and prostrate grevilleas also help to keep topsoil and mulch from being washed or blown away.
As the soil becomes more stable over time, you will be able to plant more diversely and use feature plants to add interest. You could also plant some deep-rooted shrubs and trees depending on the look that you are after. Grasses look beautiful when planted with flowering perennials like Salvia, Agastache, Gaura, Rudbeckia and Verbena species. Kangaroo grass (Themeda triandra) is a stunning native grass that would particularly look well planted with the above.
Got a question for Cassandra? Send it to hello@graziher.com.au with “Gardening Q&A” in the subject line. For more outback gardening inspiration, follow Cassandra @outbackgardens.
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