California Native Plants for Slopes

In southern California, it seems, the majority of homeowners, landscapers and gardeners have some sort of slope to deal with. In most cases graded slopes are extremely difficult to plant, often with poor, compacted soil and steep grades. There are several variables to consider when choosing plant material for a slope: the location and microclimate involved (inland, coastal, high winds, extreme temperature…), the direction or exposure of the slope, erosion factors, soil type and the stability of the slope and soil conditions.

Suitable low water and low maintenance choices for a slope, to replace traditional generally sterile plantings of ivy and ice plant, include an assortment of regionally appropriate grasses, ground covers, shrubs and trees. These plants are naturally adapted to our environment and require fewer resources and less labor to care for them. By using a variety of plants on your slope, you can achieve a refreshing, diverse and visually stimulating slope landscape. Proper spacing and plant selection will cut down on pruning maintenance and competition for moisture. The diversity in the landscape will bring back the pollinators, butterflies, hummingbirds and songbirds. For more information on slope planting, watering and other slope questions please call us or stop in at our retail store, Casa la Paz.

Slope Staples

Large and Medium Shrubs

Sunny and Hot

Botanical Name	Common Name	Type/Shape
Baccharis species	Coyote bush	Large shrubs
Ceanothus species	California lilac	Large shrubs
Cercocarpus species	Mountain mahogany	Tree
Heteromeles arbutifolia	Toyon	Large shrub
Sambucus nigra ssp. caerulea	Elderberry	Small tree/ large shrub
Rhus ovata	Sugarbush	Large shrub

Sunny and Cooler

Arctostaphylos species and varieties	Manzanita	Tree, shrub and groundcover options
Artemisia californica	Coastal sagebrush	Medium shrub
Atriplex lentiformis	Coastal quail bush	Medium shrub
Rhus integrifolia	Lemonade berry	Large shrub

Partial Shade

Rhamnus species

Coffeeberry

Medium shrub

Grasses

Aristida purpurea	Purple three-awn	Fountain shape
Leymus species	Wild rye	Large fountain
Muhlenbergia rigens	Deer grass	Medium fountain
Stipa species	Needlegrass	Fountain & mounding

Small Shrubs and Ground Covers

Sunny and Hot

Baccharis ‘Pigeon Point’	Prostrate coyote bush	Groundcover
Ceanothus species and varieties	California lilac	Groundcover to upright forms
Peritoma arborea	Bladderpod	Medium shrub
Encelia farinosa	Brittlebush	Small shrub
Eriogonum species	Buckwheat	Small shrub
Salvia species and varieties	Sage	Small to medium shrubs
Hesperoyucca whipplei	Chaparral yucca	Large succulent

Sunny and Cooler

Arctostaphylos species and varieties	Manzanita	Many forms
Encelia californica	Coast sunflower	Medium shrub
Iva hayesiana	San Diego marsh elder	Groundcover
Corethrogyne “Silver Carpet’	Silver carpet aster	Groundcover

Partial Shade

Ribes viburnifolium	Evergreen currant	Groundcover
Salvia ‘Tera Seca’	Tera seca sage	Groundcover
Symphoricarpos mollis	Creeping snowberry	Groundcover

*In most cases “Sunny and Hot” plants would work for “Sunny and Cool” locations as well.