Hillside Landscaping and Steep Slopes

Landscaping on steep slopes and hillsides can be quite a challenge for most homeowners. Besides how appealing the landscaping looks, errosion and water saturation issues with plants are generally the main concerns with most landscapes on steep grades.

While it's not an issue on all landscapes with extreme grades, drainage can be a problem if your house sits at the bottom of the slope rather than the top. It can also become a community problem if you have neighbors at the bottom of your yard.

Erosion control on slopes and hillsides is usually addressed in the same manner as nature would do. With plants and possibly rocks. And as well as creating usable space, water can also be slowed down by the use of terracing with retaining walls and decks.

Hillside Landscaping Pictures and Ideas

These are a few of our own designs that address specific challenges.

Xeriscaping A Sloped Lot For Erosion Control
This Southwest style xeriscape design could be used for a slightly sloped lot or house on a small hill.

Circular Front Yard Driveway On A Hill
A circular driveway on a hillside with xeriscape landscaping and plants.

Design Considerations

Watering and saturation - Growing plants on slopes and hilsides requires that the water be able to saturate down to the roots of the plants before it runs off. See Proper Hillside Watering Methods for tips for planting and growing plants on landscapes on grades and inclines.
Lawn areas - Consideration should be given to whether or not any lawn area is practical for your yard and landscape. Besides watering and saturation issues, mowing on a steep grade can be difficult and uncomfortable. The absolute max that we've been able to mow comfortably is around 30% grade. Anything more is uncomfortable and dangerous.
Planting and erosion control - While this goes hand in hand with the two topics mentioned above, there are some specific resources that go into great detail on the subject and are worth mentioning here.
How To Landscape and Garden On A Slope
Planting Ideas For Steep Grades With Dry Sunny Conditions

More Pictures of Slopes and Terracing

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Rock Hillside Landscaping

Retaining Walls And Terraces

Terraced Front Yard

Hillside Construction

Hillside Knot Garden

Terraced Steps

Erosion and Soil Retention

Retaining Wall On Slopes

Hillside Rock Garden

Terraced Patio

Groundcovers For Steep Slopes Landscaping

Terracing Resources

How To Build Rock Walls
How To Build Retaining Walls
How To Build Decks
Pictures Of Retaining Walls

Backyard On A Very Steep Grade

This is one of our own backyard landscaping ideas that addresses an extreme slope in a very short space. Generally, most folks don't have to have to deal with a steep grade like this. Still, the principles and ideas can be scaled to a smaller lot.

Landscaping Ideas Gallery

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