The Challenge of a Hill . . .

Coastal Gardener in MA
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The hill behind our house is quite steep and is basically made up of sand. When I started landscaping it, I had to give each bush and plant its own enormous planting hole amended with lots of compost.

Back Yard Before & After Flower Close-ups Garden General Garden Lawn Medium (1,000 - 5,000 sq ft.) Stone / Rock

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1 of 10: Five years ago I began the 'challenge' of putting a garden on this hill. The next 'before' photo shows just how many changes those years have brought.

2 of 10: Pretty barren, wasn't it . . . My husband built the steps using stones we found when digging for the garden.

3 of 10: Here are those same steps today . . .

4 of 10: The view from the top of the steps . . .

5 of 10: I added the birdhouse to the hill this year and planted a clematis to climb the pole.

6 of 10: A closer look at the new birdhouse and clematis . . .

7 of 10: The clematis is called 'Comtesse de Bouchard.'

8 of 10: This bench at the top of the hill is still my favorite spot to sit in the heat of the day.

9 of 10: Some of the plants I've used on the hill are junipers, hydrangeas, azaleas, astilbes, spirea, daylilies, hostas, ornamental grasses, cranesbill -- the list goes on and on.

10 of 10: This photo shows both the garden on the hill and the garden that surrounds our patio.

Photo Thumbnail #1: Five years ago I began the 'challenge' of...
Photo Thumbnail #2: Pretty barren, wasn't it . . . My husband built...
Photo Thumbnail #3: Here are those same steps today . . .
Photo Thumbnail #4: The view from the top of the steps . . .
Photo Thumbnail #5: I added the birdhouse to the hill this year and...
Photo Thumbnail #6: A closer look at the new birdhouse and clematis...
Photo Thumbnail #7: The clematis is called 'Comtesse de Bouchard.'
Photo Thumbnail #8: This bench at the top of the hill is still my...
Photo Thumbnail #9: Some of the plants I've used on the hill are...
Photo Thumbnail #10: This photo shows both the garden on the hill...

Comments / Questions

Would you mind sharing the names of all of the plants you used? We have a very steep and ugly slope behind our house and it needs help. Thank you!

ColemanK

Can you share the names of some of the plants that you choose? Thanks

heidideg

So lovely! Only an avid gardener knows the tremendous work involved in your creative hillside garden!

Joy 2

Did you use a fabric weed barrier

anne1965

To cinderella9705. Thanks for your comments. I just posted a video on the Yardshare:Knocking Down Fences page on Facebook that should answer all of your questions. Here's the link: https://www.facebook.com/ellie.gilbert.7/videos/o.105437019501603/1147805728595792/?type=2&theater&notif_t=video_processed&notif_id=1468712471781434

Coastal Gardener
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What a beautiful yard and all of your love and hard work shows through. We have a similar looking barren hill in our backyard. Can you give me tips? What steps did you take to prepare the hill for planting?

cinderella9705

@grandmatoo2 You can use this email address: coastalgardenerma@gmail.com

Coastal Gardener

This is beautiful what you have achieved,i have a question,how can i contact you privately.

grandmatoo2

@Nanny He built a form from plywood and then just added layers of stone and concrete until it was at the height he wanted.

Coastal Gardener

How did your husband make your stone steps?

Nanny

Can anyone help me to identify what the names are of each of these plants?I'm wanting to place them in my yard and need help figuring out all the names.

homeschoolmom24

Love this!

nickyf1

These are the most beautiful gardens I have ever seen.You are a true artist!

Sam(Sandy)

You've done so much in so little time. Gardening in drought prone California, I am struck by how green your garden is. Must be nice to get summer rainfall. My favorite photo is the last one that seems to show the lawn in back as I wide pathway between two beautiful borders.

Mark Delepine

I love the transformation ! You took on a very challenging project and turned it into a delightful retreat.

Geraldine Dean

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