Well, it's my inspiration photo if you squint. :) This hill must be tough enough for two playful dogs. I'm planning to fill the area with swaths of plumbago, honeysuckle and star jasmine. All these are attractive, though do lack that pics beauty...sigh. But they will stand up to the dogs, and are pretty carefree. The plumbago will take off, as will the honeysuckle, I believe, but wondering about the jasmine. Don't want to wait years to fill in. Many thanks for your thoughts.

Trachelospermum: the more you water it, the faster it grows. You may need a lot of water for it on a slope.

Hmmm, so if planted now, and our beloved El Niño comes through as hoped.....? Would you estimate it's normal growth rate on the flat as comparable to the others or waaay slower?

Any thoughts for the third plant instead of the jasmine? No thorns or toxicity for the pups, please, and as carefree as the others. TIA

Plumbago is a hardy low-water use plant, but the sticky flowers will get on the dog's fur. I speak from experience. The star jasmine is also low-water use once established. There is a dwarf variety you may want if your ideal is the photo up top.

Rosemary is another tough groundcover. Your dogs will smell like it. Coyote brush is an option to think about for a slope. Rhus integrifolia is another good slope holder, if you want something bushy other than plumbago.

Oh teacher, I know whereof you speak! Luckily, my dog's fur is very silky and easy to remove the debris. Besides, there are so many negatives to all the possibles, sticky petals will not daunt me! And I adore plumbago. Here's some in another area of yard( since removed due to pool staining:( jx, neither you suggest

I was shocked to see a home in the bay area with a 6X6 trellis covered in Stephanotis- and it has scattered blooms in February. Mine getting more shade doesn't bloom until summer.

I guess they like a perfect siting. Not too much hot sun,not too much shade.

Interesting re. The steph. I'm going to plant it on a trellis against a white, western wall and gamble. To hoovb and all, I promise to get this slope and all accomplished by late spring, and will post pics.

ig teacher, why do you suggest the dwarf jasmine vs. regular? Googling images , few show any blooming. Is there a reason you feel they'd fit my inspiration pic. better ? TIA!!

Regular jasmine once established, sends out 8 ft. long tendrils that want to twine around something for support to climb. If the garden has a controlled area, for example, a concrete walled planter bed and a lamp post or trellis for the vine to climb, it can easily be neatly trimmed and trained. The plant has a suitable environment for its natural tendencies to be an advantage. Your inspiration photo does not contain any vines. There is nothing to support the vines -- except the other hapless plants next to the jasmine. The dwarf jasmine will not put out so much rampant growth, and won't swallow your other plants. All plants bloom eventually, given the proper sun exposure, water, and fertilizer.

I'm going to mention the elephant in the room, "two playful dogs." I love dogs, you love dogs, we all love dogs. The plants you have chosen may hold up to some dog play. But if it is a LOT of dog play, the plants will look the same as parking-lot plants that get stepped on all day, every day, by those parking the cars and walking through the parking lot planters. If the dogs are little maltese -- not so much of a problem. If they are big handsome rottweilers, forget it. Slopes are difficult enough to establish without any foot traffic; if this is the everyday dog playground, you have a real challenge on your hands.