what would grow best on this clay soil hillside?

by Kelly Shaw
(Indian Mound, TN USA)

My pathetic hillside

I live halfway up/down a hill. The soil is 98% clay (Tennessee Red Clay). I have found Sweet Williams, Zinnias, Marigolds, Gypsophilia, Alyssum, Bachelor Buttons grow quite well. My hillside is eroding away with the storms and tornadoes. What would be the best plant(s) to place here to A) stop erosion B) spruce it up.. i was thinking wildflower mix? Please help!

Doug says that there are pretty much only four ground covers that will survive/thrive in this kind of environment. In no specific order, they are
Aegopodium, Goutweed
Ajuga, Bugleweed
Hedera, English Ivy
Lamium maculatum, Dead Nettle

All are considered invasive in your area but that's what ground covers do.

Good luck with this one. You also might want to start with a short retaining wall to stop some of that soil from moving too far and help stabilize that bank.

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what would grow best on this clay soil hillside?

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Jul 15, 2011

Have almost identical problem
by: tewcabins

After grading my backyard, I to, have a bank problem just like this one - in asheville, nc area.
My bank is about 100 ft long. What kind of retaining wall would be most economical and easiest for me (60+) female to install? Also, need to plant some evergreen shrub or trees to provide privacy - will they help?

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Doug Green