Rock may be required to cover a steep slope where wood chips and gravel may wash away. In these cases, use natural river bed cobble of varying sizes. Lay rock over a weed barrier fabric in much the same way as if you were constructing a rock wall. Another option for steep slopes is to install a natural rock Garden with water-conserving alpine plants. For more information, see 7.401, Rock Gardens .
Low ground covers for hot, steep slopes.
Use any of the ground covers in Table 1 between walks and buildings or on parking strips between sidewalks and curbs, unless shaded. D.E. Whiting, Cooperative Extension ornamental horticulture specialist, horticulture and landscape architecture. Go to top of this page. Updated Wednesday, May 02, 2001. Contact Cooperative Extension Web Manager .