I've gardened in the hills, and found that I had to adapt my approach to fit the slope of the land.
Regarding the kinds of plants that are suitable for sloping land, ground covers are a great choice. Once they're established, they should protect the area from erosion and require very little maintenance.
For hill gardens, perennial herbs are ideal ground covers. Interplant them with other drought-tolerant plants, such as the sedums.
The most important thing I learned about gardening on the edge had to do with watering. That's when I decided drought-tolerant species were best.
It is hard to water plants that are growing on slopes. No matter how much water you apply, most of it will end up at the bottom of the hill without having a chance to soak into the soil. As a result, the plants located near the top get very little moisture. That's why I choose drought-tolerant herbs for hilltops, and locate moisture-loving ones at the bottom.
Most trickle irrigation systems are designed for flat areas. Soaker hoses are a possibility for gentle slopes, but do check from time to time to be sure they are working properly. Like any other hose, these can develop leaks and other problems. I've noticed the water flow can be uneven towards the closed end of the hose.
Herbs that are suitable for sunny slopes would include chamomile, chives, lavender, lemon balm, germander, and yarrow. Among the ones that are well-adapted to shady hillside gardens are foxglove, mayapple, mint, and sweet woodruff.
Flowering herbs, and perennials as well as rock garden and alpine species are suitable for slopes.
When it comes to choosing those flowering plants, there's no better information source than "The Complete Encyclopedia of Garden Flowers," published by Thunder Bay Press. Consult this guide for appropriate choices when you're designing your sloping garden.
There's a color-illustrated, comprehensive A-Z plant directory with complete descriptions and tips on growing them along with ideas on using them in the landscape. For each kind of plant, there's a handy, easy to use table providing details on the different species and varieties. Using the entry on lavender as an example, there are tips and color photos showing how it can be used in the landscape.
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