Plant Ideas for a Sunny Slope

Rosa Rugosa

• The Rugosa rose is a sprawling rose bush that thrives on slopes and will cover your bank with fragrant flowers from spring to autumn. Also known as the saltspray rose, this rose does well in coastal locations and can get as high and wide as 8 feet. Because it needs well-drained soil--and will tolerate poor, sandy soil--it is perfect for a sunny slope.

Creeping Phlox

• A perennial plant, the creeping phlox, which is pronounced "flocks," is ideal for planting on a sunny slope. It is a hardy perennial, growing throughout northern regions of the United States. The plant spreads flat and rarely gets taller than 6 inches in height. Flowers bloom in spring, but the plant provides interesting green foliage throughout the spring, summer and autumn.

Junipers

• Junipers are an evergreen, coniferous plant that can range in variety from a low-growing, creeping shrub to a tall tree. Creeping varieties of juniper are ideal as ground covers and can spread to as much as 8 feet in width. Even tree-style junipers like sloping locations, though, because all junipers prefer good drainage. The most popular juniper varieties for slopes are the Shore and Creeping juniper. Both get about 1 foot tall and spread to about 8 feet in width.