Sloped Bank Creepers

SeanOChuinn · Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2017 11:20 am Post subject: Sloped Bank Creepers

Hello everyone,

We have just cleaned up an embankment in front of our home and are now currently left with a sloped bank about 65 degrees and 5ft to 6ft in height which is too steep to mow or manage any grass on. The bank was graded down to subsoil and we were seeing some briars starting to appear. Since that we have covered the bank with about 3-4 inches of good quality top soil. We were hoping to try to sow some moss creepers or maybe header. Something that would only grow a few inches and manage to spread or cover the ground. We would then be able to work through the embankment at various times during the year to pull any scutch grass or weeds as they would appear and this would also eliminate the need for mowing and grass removal if grass wasn't planted to cover the embankment.
The embankment is south facing and gets lots of light, there may be times during the day it is in shade but 80% of the day it would have direct sunlight. Was hoping maybe we could get some suggestions of mosses or creepers we could plant across the embankment that would slowly over time cover it. Obviously nothing is maintenance free but low maintenance would be nice.

Thanks all.

kindredspirit · Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2017 2:03 pm Post subject:

Plant it full of Rock rose. Will cover bank in 3 years and virtually weed free when it's in full cover. Likes superb drainage, poor soil and sunlight.

SeanOChuinn · Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2017 4:08 pm Post subject:

Thank you. That's Hoary Rock Rose is it? I've looked and it appears to be a protected plant. According to what I'm reading only occurring in limestone rocks? We have a lime stone quarry about 2 miles away so the ground would be super limey alright and probably suit it, but not sure if this would work. Is it possible to buy in garden centres with its protected label?

tagwex · Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2017 5:31 pm Post subject:

Sea thrift. Lavender. Camomile. Thyme. Berberis. Alpines.

Blowin · Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2017 8:00 pm Post subject:

My plant knowledge isn't great but, with a 65 degree slope and only a few inches of top soil on top, whatever you do plant will need to root right through into the subsoil below and have a good, wide root stock. If there isn't enough growth to bind the whole lot together, one good lot of torrential rain could wash the lot down to the bottom of the slope?

Sue Deacon · Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2017 9:02 pm Post subject:

Geranium macrorrhizum.