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Sloping bank ground cover

RickenbackerRickenbacker Posts: 2
in Garden design

Hello all

I wonder if any of you experts can help me with a bit of a dilemma. I have a steep bank about 2m high and I want to cover it with geo textile and put in some ground covering plants  (I'm thinking Ajuga Bugleweed) my problem is how to cover the geo textile as bark chippings are just going to slide downhill. Any ideas anyone? Thanks in advance

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  • RickenbackerRickenbacker Posts: 2

    Hmm take that as a no then!

  • LynLyn Posts: 21,909

    Can't help but I can vouch for Ajuga making a good ground cover, I am overrun with it, fill the compost bin every year! 

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Dave HumbyDave Humby Posts: 1,142

    I had / have a similar situation. I purchased some black nylon netting that I staked in place with geo-fabric staples which holds all the bark clippings in place. I placed the staples every 75cm or so apart on a grid. I have mostly used Vinca Minor as ground cover. 

  • a1154a1154 Posts: 1,058

    Me too. Sorry to be a bit dense - you put netting over the chippings? Cant you see it? and (really am thick) is geotextile able to support the growth of the groundcover? its not like weed fabric then? 

  • 007wasagardener007wasagardener Posts: 11

    I don't use bark as it runs off - as you know. Use a good fibrous mulch and apply to a depth of 60cms. You don't need weed-mat under. I never use it unless it's under pebbles; weed suppression works just fine without weed-mat if you apply the mulch correctly. The mulch is also very beneficial for many reasons.

    You could also punctuate the garden area with rocks. Rocks add depth and dimension to a garden. Simply dig a small shelf and seat them in. This has the added value of keeping things in place. Hope this helps :)

  • a1154a1154 Posts: 1,058

    Hi, i think it has to be ground cover fabric, its a ground elder infested area. Im really not bothered about rocks etc, its a steep slope in a very varied garden. I think in this case its a mistake to focus on this area, as its not important in terms of the whole garden. Ideally i would put some trees or fruit bushes on it for the birds, and bark chippings over the fabric, so i was interested in the netting. 

    I do have other more focal area slopes, with rocks and plants etc, so i do agree with you 007, but its not right here.

  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053

    I think you will find that the ground elder will make its way out of the planting holes for the Ajuga unless you intend to plant the Ajuga in the bark chippings only. Suggest you kill the ground elder first over a period of weeks and then do the membrane and plants. 

    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,236

    Landscape architects specify Symphoricarpus 'Hancock' for those sorts of situations. Not the most exciting plant in the world though! You could pep it up with groundcover roses and clematis. I don't think Ajuga packs enough punch to cover the geotextile.

    How severe is the slope though? Is it very dry, and is it sunny, or shady?

    Last edited: 05 April 2017 19:15:08

  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053

    I agree with that. Ajuga in my garden does not grow that quickly and though it could cover a square foot or so I would not think to use it in a large area. And it will not show up against the bark chippings very well. 

    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • a1154a1154 Posts: 1,058

    OP was interested in ajuga. Ive got ground elder on a slope, now covered with weed fabric. Kill the ground elder over a period of weeks? i think ive been at it 4 years!

    dunno how to measure a slope, you cant easily stand on it, full sun and dry. No shade in my garden. 

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