Nothing can give you a landscaping and gardening headache than trying to figure out how to optimize or landscape a slope in your garden. This is where many simply remove the exhausted hamster off its hamster wheel in their mind, running to what seems like no-solution-station. Yes, dealing with a slope is not an easy task to take on, but that doesn’t mean that there are absolutely no landscaping or design options to consider out there.
1. Plants to the rescue
This is a point very few people think about when deciding on how to deal with their slippery slope situation. Slopes are not only a design and landscaping dilemma; slopes actually gradually worsen with time due to erosion caused by water and even wind. But there is a way to combat this. There are plants what are actually referred to as slope-holding plants. They provide texture and tenacity and their roots help to control any erosion. And don’t think that they are mere boring-looking problem solvers; we are talking beautiful blossoms such as the pink Spiraea Japonica Shirobana, the golden Stella de Oro and the yellow Cinquefoil.
2. The wonders of a waterfall
There’s an obvious option you’ve probably not thought about yet – especially when it comes to taking the heat into account while planning your Miami landscaping. A waterfall is one of the most effective and optimal designing solutions to take advantage of that troublesome sloping terrain. If you feel like being a little bit more extravagant, you could even add some other creative water features into your waterfall design. Now your steep slope is no longer an insurmountable problem, but an opportunity to create a dramatic, impressive and calming curtain of water for guests to gawk at and the entire family to enjoy.
3. Build a wall
Yes, it doesn’t quite have an impressive ring to it. But your slope could soon become a wall cradling and nestling an entertainment section in your garden. This is a fantastic and very simple architectural element to incorporate in the landscaping design of your garden. There is no need for expensive materials when building the retaining walls – you could even use rocks and stones from your own garden. If you yearn for a little bit more color or to soften some hard lines while creating your intimate atmosphere, simply add some climbing plants between the cracks in the wall. Another perk of having a retaining wall is that it also helps to curb erosion.
4. What about terraces?
If a solid wall doesn’t take your fancy, there is another option that has quite similar results, but looks entirely different. Just as relaxing as a wall cradling an entertainment area, several low walls with terraces in between can still be the perfect solution to creating an inviting space in which to relax and appreciate the view over the rest of your garden. You can also brighten up your terraces by planting various flowers and plants across the low walls.
5. Working with wood
Not in the mood for all the fauna and flaura research, building all kinds of small enclosures in order to hide that terrible slope? Why not go the extra mile and build something really impressive that requires very little research and only asks for minimum maintenance? What else could create the same effect as designing and building your own personal wooden deck? This will have to be a multi-level deck since you’re building it on a slope, but that doesn’t take anything away from the aesthetic beauty you’ll be adding to your garden. Any expert designer will tell you that contrasting colors or textures are the way to go and what better contrast than that between your garden’s natural vegetation and a wooden terrace? This will create a very striking focal point, and you’ll rarely ever notice that once unwanted slope again.
6. Turn your slope into a mini-mountain
This is one of the simplest solutions to your sloping predicament. There’s no real prep work, expensive materials or fancy design work required. All you need to do is add groups of rock to the ground. This could be natural rocks from your own garden, a neighbor’s garden or even a recently developed piece of land. Garden rocks create a bold accent and have a great decorative effect. Not only does it have a functional value by anchoring portions of the slope, but adds to the natural beauty of the garden.
7. Build stairs
Except for the fact that it can accentuate the walk to your front door or simply add to the symmetrical beauty of your garden, stairs can often be very necessary. A slope might be a bothersome irritation to one home owner, but quite a detrimental danger to another. Slopes can easily turn into injury, which is when it is time to get practical with your Miami landscaping and not just focus on enhancing the beauty of your garden. By building stairs down the slope, you will eliminate the threat and still put your personal touch of style on your picturesque garden design. There are various styles of stairs to choose from; from colonial to those with more of a natural, rustic feel to it. No matter which style you finally decide upon, just ensure that they are convenient to climb.
8. Just accept it
This is not always easy, but sometimes when you can’t decide on something that’s the right fit for you or your family, it’s best to just leave it alone. Your slope might be the ultimate challenge in your landscaping and design plans, but sometimes we just need to take a peak through the eyes of someone who sees the beauty in the slope exactly the way it is. Get the kids; grab a few old cardboard boxes and start slipping and sliding away on that slope. Sometimes the simplest of designs, can bring the most joy and excitement. And that’s a design tip without any hassles.