Evening star., 1951-01-21

Changes in level are always in-
teresting and sometimes are worth
creating for the landscape value.
But with change in level, wheth-
er natural or artificial. the prob
len of how to handle the slope
and to keep it from becoming a
chore or a source of trouble is
frequently a puzzler for the prop
erey owner. Steep slopes are not
easy to keep moved; in fact, it is
sometimes a chore to keep such a
slope covered with grass where
the surface drainage is material
in volume.
The use of shrubbery may be
the most feasible solution to such
a problem, although surface wash
must be prevented or the shrub
berry and vines used for such a
purpose may be difficult to keep
intact. A steep slope with a con-
siderable drainage area behind
it oftentimes receives such flood
that the topsoil washes away and
the shrubs are unable to thrive.
Thus the first step in taking
care of the steep slope involves
a diversion of the drainage water.
Usually this is most easily han
died by creating a shallow, but
large enough, drain at the top OF
the slope which will carry the sur-
face water away from the slope.
Sometimes, where the volume is
not too great, this may be so shall
low as to be hardly noticeable.
Occasionally it is practicable to
lay a string of drainage tile just
below the surface with surface
openings to receive the water.
This method is dependent upon
having an outlet for the water.
Having solved this problem, the
choice of materials to cover the
bank will depend largely upon its
size, although the amount OF SUM-
light, or shade, will restrict the
choice to those most tolerant OF
the conditions. Soil, too, must be
taken into consideration, as well
as the moisture generally present.
Barberry Slopes.
For a sunny slope trailing roses,
such as Max Graf, are often sug-
gested but too often they are a
nice place for seeds, wasps and
other pests to congregate. Ger
tainly, cutting the grass and
weeds beneath such a cover is
time consuming. Barberry is fire.
quently used with good effect on
even the hottest and steepest OF
slopes. 1t may be necessary to
cover the slope with straw or other
mulching material after the
shrubbery is planted to prevent its
drying out. Coral-berry is an
other good plant for such a slope
If it is of sufficient size.
Trailing jumpers are excellent
for the smaller slopes, although
slow to become established and
usually difficult to transplant un-
less potted plants are used. The
jumpers rarely exceed foot in
height and will tolerate a hotter.
dryer situation than most shrubs.
For the shady slope there are
number of useful low growers
the vinca minor or myrtle is a
favorite, although the japanese
spurge (Pachysandra) and Eng
lish ivy also are useful. These
three are spreaders and in time
will provide a dense cover which
will hold the soil intact in spite Of
rain. However, neither the pachy-
sandra nor the English ivy will
tolerate trampling. The vinca
minor is especially attractive in
the early spring when in bloom.
Taller, shade loving shrubs in
clude the coral-berry, dropping
Leucothoe. Azaleas. and some Of
the lower growing Viburnums.
Ferns are good for the smaller
moist slope.
Some Use Rock Wall.
The second method of handling
the steep bank is the dry rock
wall. While considerably more
expensive to build it has such
interesting plant possibilities that
many consider the dry rock wall
as a vertical garden something
we'll worth having. The dry rock
wall consists of fiat stones laid
one layer on top of another with
an occasional pocket reserved for
planting. The success of the dry
rock wall lies very largely in pro-