Hi folks,
I live in the Rouge Hills area of Scarborough. The south side of my house has a steep hill. Unfortunately the grass seems to grow fairly well there and is very difficult to mow as I get older. I am looking for an alternative to replace the lawn. Half of it has a beautiful full leaf type plant and I just don’t know how to get the rest of the hill to have that. I have no green thumb
Thank you for contacting Toronto Master Gardeners.
I commend you on looking for an alternative for your grassy hillside as this will not only reduce your maintenance (mowing), but increase the biodiversity of your garden. The first step is to understand your growing conditions. Factors to consider: how much sun does the area receive, what type of soil (moisture retention, fast draining). Keep in mind that erosion is a key consideration for planting on a steep slope. Knowing the characteristics of your site will ensure you choose the most appropriate plants for a beautiful garden.
Second, develop a garden plan. What is the area used for – pathway for foot traffic, children’s play or pet use? What characteristics of plant material would you like – evergreen (4 seasons), colours – blooms, leaf colour by season, height – ground cover, perennials, shrubs. I’d recommend native plants for biodiversity and minimal maintenance.
The Toronto Master Gardeners have published a few gardening guides which will help to give you some ideas for your hillside garden.
Broadleaf Evergreen Groundcovers: A Toronto Master Gardeners Guide
Gardening with Native Shrubs: A Toronto Master Gardeners Guide
Native Plants for Habitat – Native Plants of Interest – A Toronto Master Gardeners Guide
You may also want to enlist the assistance of a garden designer or landscaper, especially if the area is large as removing the turf will require some effort. Landscape Ontario has a good website to locate professionals in your area.
If you decide to replace your grass with ground covers or grass alternatives, there are some suggestions in a previous question to the Toronto Master Gardeners: Lawn Alternatives.
Also, from Frank Kershaw’s article, “Hillside Gardening”, published November 2015 by Lee Valley & veritas:
“Steep, sunny, stable hillsides could be left to low-growing, deeply rooted, infrequently mown grasses. Root-spreading ornamental grasses can be planted in broad bands to provide further anchorage while adding striking form, texture and animation. If you have youngsters, consider leaving a portion of the grass slope open as a play area. Alternatively, your slope could be planted with groundcovers such as fragrant creeping thyme (Thymus spp.), moss phlox (Phlox subulate), … , sedums, barrenwort (Epimedium spp.), …, heaths and heathers, and low-spreading junipers.”
Good luck with your hillside garden.