Between the first cut of the spade and a finished hillside garden, there are countless hours of planning, time-consuming relocation and support of the soil and intensive planting work. For this reason, garden design on a hillside is not only more planning-intensive and time-consuming than with a level plot of land, but also usually involves higher costs. A hillside garden offers exciting design options.
planning
A proper embankment construction depends on the individual local conditions. Depending on the inclination and the subsurface, it may be necessary to check the statics and obtain a building permit. Therefore, if in doubt, ask the local building authority. Retaining walls can absorb the load on the slope and divide the slope garden into terraces. The execution of these retaining walls depends on the height difference that has to be overcome. The more soil is supported, the more carefully the securing of the hillside must be planned.
Slight slopes
With a little time, house gardens with only a slight slope can often be leveled with a spade and wheelbarrow. Sometimes it is enough to divide the difference in height into two levels with just a single wall of less than a meter. Up to a height of about 80 centimeters and only a single retaining wall on the slope, dry stone walls or plant stones with side teeth can be used. However, since their load capacity is very limited, they are not suitable for securing steep gradients.
Steep embankments
While a smaller slope with a slight incline can do without expensive support elements, the garden is with strong ones Slopes are generally easier to cultivate and better protected against erosion if they are divided into terraced plains will. Depending on the slope, massive earthworks may be necessary to create a perfect look and use. This requires both an excavator and stable supports, which in case of doubt should be left to a specialist.
Selection of the retaining wall
In a garden with a steep slope there is a risk of landslides, which is why securing must be the top priority when planning. Retaining walls divide the hillside garden into different areas, prevent landslides and largely determine the structure and overall appearance of the garden. When it comes to the design, the most diverse variants are possible, with the earth at the foot of the slope
support.- Dry stone walls (only up to 80 cm height difference)
- Quarry stone walls with mortar
- Brick or sand-lime brick walls with facing
- Gabions
- Concrete slabs
- Palisades
construction
A wall to support the slope does not have to be straight. A wonderful atmosphere can be created above all with curved variants. Natural stone walls fit into the garden more harmoniously than concrete walls. Since the slope reinforcement must be safe and stable over the long term, it should stand on a concrete foundation. Important when building retaining walls over a height of 80 cm:
- Dimensioning (consult a specialist if necessary)
- Drainage at the back of the wall (drainage pipe in gravel or crushed stone)
- Foundation: 60 to 80 cm deep with a 10 to 15% slope to the slope
Stairs
If you want to terrace a hillside garden, you cannot avoid stairs or at least a few steps when designing the garden. This is the only way to effortlessly access the individual levels. There are no limits to the imagination when designing the stairs. Ideally, the stairs should be made of the same type of stone as the walls. But contrasts also work surprisingly well here. However, you should pull the style you have selected through the entire garden and not use a colorful mix of shapes and materials, which can then appear very restless.
- Recommended for slopes of 7 or more
- always adapt to the terrain
- straight or curved courses possible
- Ideal are steps with the following dimensions: height 18 cm, depth 26 cm
- Lay with a slight incline to the slope
Path design
An alternative to stairs are ramps in the hillside garden to bridge the differences in height. Ramps require more space than stairs, but are suitable (depending on the incline) for wheelchair users, walkers, strollers or wheelbarrows.
- race
- Mulch
- Gravel or grit
- Pavement slabs (natural stone or concrete)
- stepping stones
- Cobblestones
Sitting and relaxation rooms
Often times the house is at the top of the property while the garden leads down the slope. This creates ideal conditions for creating places of retreat on the respective levels. However, do not put them too far down so that you still have a sufficient overview of the rest of the garden. A garden house can be built for the lower terrace. To the highlights in one
Hillside garden include:- BBQ area or outdoor kitchen
- Sun terrace with roofing
- pavilion
- Fireplace
Waters
A natural slope in the garden can be used wonderfully to integrate a stream or a water feature - and with significantly less effort than with flat terrain. And the result is undoubtedly more perfect. But also a pond or a swimming pool are attractive highlights in the hillside garden.
Style direction
A key function in garden design on a hillside is the type and material of the slope reinforcement. Only when the embankment has been sufficiently stabilized can the planting and decorative elements be tackled. The style is mainly determined by the color and material of the retaining walls and the stairs:
Mediterranean garden
- Paths made of gravel
- Light limestone walls
- Herbs
- Natural stone seating
Natural garden
- Wooden steps
- Paths with bark mulch
- Dry stone walls
Modern ambience
- smooth concrete blocks
- Gabions
- race
- Planting rather restrained
Country style
- Clinker brick walls and sidewalks
- Sitting areas with wood or metal
- Rose Pavilion
Bed design
You should plan in advance how you want to design and use the individual levels. For example, you can create a terrace or flower, vegetable or herb beds.
Prepare the soil
Heavy machines compact the ground very strongly. For this reason, the areas where stairs are to be created in the further course are preferably selected as paths for the excavators or other construction equipment. On the level surfaces, the soil must be loosened thoroughly before planting. Since the upper, humus layer was usually also removed from the overburden, at least 30 centimeters of fresh humus soil must be applied.
plants
If the terraced area is not completely flat, you should make the right choice of plants to protect the soil from being washed out and slipping. These plants should form strong, densely branched roots, especially in the upper soil layers, and be very robust so that you do not have to constantly step onto the slope later to maintain them.
- sunny, upper level: Herbs and vegetables
- Level at the house: Terrace and / or seating
- on dry southern slopes: typical rock garden planting
- North slopes: Plants that love shade and moisture
Suitable planting
Ground cover, low-growing shrubs or perennials are ideal for garden design on a hillside.
Hillside shrubs
Recommended shrubs for slope reinforcement include:
- Broom (Cytisus scoparius)
- Finger bush (Potentilla fruticosa)
- Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas)
- liguster (Ligustrum)
- Buddleia (Buddleja)
- Ornamental quince (Chaenomeles)
Flat shrubs and trees
Flat, ground-covering shrubs are also perfect for
Hillside greening. They can even be used to secure very steep slopes.- Ground cover roses
- Mountain or dwarf pine (Pinus mugo or pumila)
- Rock pear (Amelanchier)
- Dog roses (also called hill rose, Rosa canina)
- Creeping juniper (Juniperus communis)
- tamarisk (Tamarix)
- Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster)
Ground cover perennials
In addition to the shrubs, flowering, ground-covering perennials can also be used on the slope. With their dense carpet of leaves and roots, these plants also suppress weeds.
- Mountain houseleek (Sempervivum montanum)
- Blue pillows (Aubrieta hybrids)
- ivy (Hedera helix)
- Elven flower (Epimedium)
- Lady's mantle (Alchemilla mollis)
- Golden nettle (Lamium galeobdolon)
- Heather (Calluna vulgaris)
- lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- Upholstery phlox (Phlox subulata)
- Candytuft (Iberis)
- Spurflowers (Centranthus ruber)
- Saxifrage (Saxifraga)
- Cranesbill (Geranium)
- Carpet St. John's Wort (Hypericum calycinum)
- thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
- Ysander (Pachysandra)
North and east slopes, on the other hand, are rather damp and shady. Above all, this is where:
- Ferns
- Lily grape (Liriope muscari)
- Splendid spar (Astilbe)
- Waldsteinie (Waldsteinia ternata)
Ornamental grasses
- Blue fescue (Festuca glauca)
- Japanese blood grass (Imperata cylindrica)
- Bearskin grass (Festuca scoparia)
Tips for hillside garden
- Think carefully in advance how you want to connect the individual levels and how you want to use them. Subsequent changes are associated with enormous effort.
- The terraces or levels are always built from the bottom up.
- In the case of very steep inclines on the slope, you must secure the support elements with deep concrete foundations so that the soil does not slide off when it is soaked.
- A concrete foundation is also necessary for stabilization when securing with plant stones.
- Gabions can also withstand great pressure and do not require drainage. A fleece may prevent the soil from being washed through the cracks.
- The more incline a path has, the more sure-footed and stable it should be. There is a risk of slipping on wet grass paths and fine grit is quickly washed out by the rain.
- Semicircular retaining walls not only offer a visual plus, they also give seating areas a feeling of security and atmosphere.
- Retaining walls can also be used as seating or as borders for sandpits or ponds.
- When planning a garden on a slope, think about power connections on the individual levels or at the seats. For example, a lawnmower or a refrigerator can be easily connected to the barbecue area without a long extension cable.
- When choosing trees, be sure to pay attention to the maximum size and root depth so that there is no additional pressure on the retaining walls.
- The use of fabric mats is advantageous on very steep slopes. These protect the soil from leaching in the beginning and dissolve by themselves after a few years. You can simply cut slits in the nets for planting.
