Noninvasive ground cover - Ask Extension
Hello. I would like to plant some type of ground cover (or day lilies) beside our driveway that has a steep incline (about 45 degree incline) as itâ€...
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Noninvasive ground cover #879914
Asked August 02, 2024, 1:49 PM EDT
Hello. I would like to plant some type of ground cover (or day lilies) beside our driveway that has a steep incline (about 45 degree incline) as it’s hard to mow grass due to the incline. Area is slightly shaded. I don’t want something invasive that will spread. What do you recommend?
Morrow County Ohio
Expert Response
Hi Kim, I have been thinking about your question for some time now. Planting anything in this situation would be a very difficult proposition. I don't know what you have there at the present, but trying to estabish plants on a 45 degree slope would be very difficult indeed.Â
First, let's think about how to go about planting on such a steep slope. You can of course tie a rope to something like a truck bumper and let yourself down the incline and work your way back up the slope. You would probably have to load buckets or something with the plant material you wish to plant. Then of course you have to water the plants in to get them started. Â
Second, it would be very tough to weed this planting since you have had to struggle to get the plants into the ground. It would be the same suspension from a rope down the grade and pulling weeds as you come and go. Â
Third, don't think too hard about mulch. With that steep of a slope, the mulch would probably slide right on down to the bottom as gravity is a major concern.Â
The normal plants that you might try are trully invasive but they will cover the slope if given enough of a chance. Ivy (English Ivy) or euonymous would cover the area in short order. You would not have to worry too much about spreading until they get to the edges of the plot. At that point you could use a weed whacker to cut off the invading vines. (A continuing legacy!)
Daylillies would probably work as well given enough time to spread and cover the bare ground. You would need to purchase a lot of plants to get them to cover the plot soon enough. Â
Another couple of plants that you might try would be Candytuft which has a white flower in the spring and also Creeping Phlox like you see on steep areas with plenty of drainage. Any of those plants would tend to cover the area near them but it would take longer than the invasive plants.  (They are good at what they do and do it quickly.)
So, to sum up, you need to ask around and find a local landscaper to help you out with this project. There is a degree of safety involved with planting on this steep a slope. You would have to work on it over a period of years to keep the weeds in check. I hope this helps you some. Don
First, let's think about how to go about planting on such a steep slope. You can of course tie a rope to something like a truck bumper and let yourself down the incline and work your way back up the slope. You would probably have to load buckets or something with the plant material you wish to plant. Then of course you have to water the plants in to get them started. Â
Second, it would be very tough to weed this planting since you have had to struggle to get the plants into the ground. It would be the same suspension from a rope down the grade and pulling weeds as you come and go. Â
Third, don't think too hard about mulch. With that steep of a slope, the mulch would probably slide right on down to the bottom as gravity is a major concern.Â
The normal plants that you might try are trully invasive but they will cover the slope if given enough of a chance. Ivy (English Ivy) or euonymous would cover the area in short order. You would not have to worry too much about spreading until they get to the edges of the plot. At that point you could use a weed whacker to cut off the invading vines. (A continuing legacy!)
Daylillies would probably work as well given enough time to spread and cover the bare ground. You would need to purchase a lot of plants to get them to cover the plot soon enough. Â
Another couple of plants that you might try would be Candytuft which has a white flower in the spring and also Creeping Phlox like you see on steep areas with plenty of drainage. Any of those plants would tend to cover the area near them but it would take longer than the invasive plants.  (They are good at what they do and do it quickly.)
So, to sum up, you need to ask around and find a local landscaper to help you out with this project. There is a degree of safety involved with planting on this steep a slope. You would have to work on it over a period of years to keep the weeds in check. I hope this helps you some. Don
