A small front yard designed and constructed by Southern Landscape. Prior to construction, this short, steep slope up from the street was both an erosion and safety issue. The only access was down the steep driveway. Southern Landscape designed and installed a series of retaining walls to minimize erosion and a custom staircase to provide access to the street and mailbox.

This colorful landscape design shows just what can be done with a slope! Masses of perennials with different textures and heights add to the interest. This is a real summer splash of color and most of the plants are relatively low maintenance. Originally a very rocky slope, a retaining wall was built using existing boulders (almost hidden by all the plants!) and some of these interesting rocks were left in place. Design and Photo by Susan Schlenger

Design ideas for a contemporary landscaping in San Francisco.

The cylindrical steel water bubbler forms the beginning of the water journey that travels from the upper landscape to the lower level around the back of the house. The “handrill” of Corten steel follows the peastone and steel steps down a steep slope. Architect: Wolf Architects, Inc. General Contractor: GF Rhode Construction, Inc. Landscape Contractor: Robert Hanss, Inc. Steel Fabrication: Wovensteel and Richard Duca Water Systems: Pond Creations by Sean Photo by Susan Teare.

Banyon Tree Design created a new front entry from the sidewalk to the front steps of this new contemporary home. The rockery was renovated with plants highlighting colors of the architecture.

Challenging steep sloped plantings using native plants to increase habitat and biodiversity and reduce maintenance over time.
Inspiration for a large full sun hillside flower bed in Other for spring.

Steep back slope before. Difficult to maintain or use.
Photo of a small contemporary drought-tolerant hillside landscaping in Los Angeles.

Locally quarried sandstone walls, steps, patio and pond. The design reclaimed a steep slope and made for a visually appealing area that becomes very useable. Simple plantings allow the wall to be the star. Photo: The Ardent Gardener Landscape

The dense, xeric plantings retain the slope and give year-round beauty. Landscape Construction: Environmental Designs, Inc.; Landscape Architecture Design: MARPA

Steep Slope Landscaping This is a permitted project in an Environmentally Critical Area of Seattle. Full survey and geotechnical reports were needed as well as changes to the best management practices during install.

Design ideas for a contemporary hillside gravel landscaping in Seattle.

limestone steps, cut stone retaining walls, lake view, holey boulders
This is an example of a small contemporary partial sun hillside stone landscaping in Kansas City.

Hively Landcapes http://www.hivelylandscapes.com/ Project Entry: Stairway to Heaven 2013 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Residential Up to $15,000 Award Level: Bronze Project Description: Battling age arid multiple sclerosis would not deter these homeowners from a relaxing and interactive backyard getaway. It was important to block the nearby homes from the view, while creating an open environment for neighbors to meet and socialize. Their love for landscaping and birds, needed to be joined with a relaxing water feature that could be enjoyed from desired locations inside the house as well as outside. I wanted to incorporate plants they liked, that would work on such a tough slope, and provide year-long interest. By making the water feature the prominent piece in the garden I had to make it naturalize into the hillside, as if it was always there. By the end, a never ending and insurmountable hillside was transformed into their, "stairway to heaven." This new home construction left little quality topsoil with large amounts of fill soil to stabilize for a successful water feature. Topsoil and mushroom soil were used to amend planting holes for plants, and proper base materials were used for water feature and stairs. Such a steep hill makes equipment difficult to manage. By setting equipment on top of the hill, we were able to drag/winch materials up the hill to put in place. Due to health conditions of the client, navigation of the hill would require a more functional access. Natural steps and materials were the clients desire, and Techo Bloc's Rocka steps filled both needs. The water feature was constructed with a natural stone bridge to cross and flat stones strategically placed as foot holds. The pondless water feature is constructed using Aquascape's engineered system for filtration and flow. Waterfall rocks are from local quarries to ensure blending and natural elements. Plants were selected to have multiple aesthetic features along with a habitat for many birds. Color was necessary from the first bloom on the Phlox to the first snow dancing on the Miscanthus plume. To meet the client's budget, we designed the garden, planted the trees, supplied the plants and placed the plants for the client to install. The homeowner had the railing and smaller steps installed by others. With the clients uplifting attitude and determination they became the ushers of the development to welcome new families into the area. Their peaceful transition became a weekend and holiday hotspot where adults can appreciate the beauty while the children playfully splash each other in the stream. Multiple sclerosis is a debilitating disease that can confine your life experiences. Their dreams and conviction led to a therapeutic garden that appears to disappear into the sky. This illusion has brought joy to them and others and trademarked their slogan, "stairway to heaven." Photo Credit: Hively Landscapes

The “handrill” of Corten steel follows the peastone and steel steps down a steep slope to pour into a round basin, emptying into a channel that meanders through the narrow back garden at ground level, ending finally in a boulder fountain. Devised to minimize root disturbance for the tall existing pines on the property, the continuous Corten steel structure is supported by concrete tubes rather than a foundation that would have required extensive excavation. Architect: Wolf Architects, Inc. General Contractor: GF Rhode Construction, Inc. Landscape Contractor: Robert Hanss, Inc. Steel Fabrication: Wovensteel and Richard Duca Water Systems: Pond Creations by Sean Photo by Susan Teare.

This very steep hillside is the focal point of the back yard as it is located along the outdoor living area, patio and courtyard just outside a wall of french doors. It was too steep to mow, dry, rocky and barren until we worked our magic. The client was from Scotland and desired a landscape that would remind her of a traditional " Rockery" with alpine plants, heaths and heathers. Since those specific plants don't do well in Atlanta, we choose plants that offered similar colors and textures. When the garden is the most lush, as seen here, only a few rocks are visible. In the winter when half of these plants are dormant, the hand selected and carefully placed boulders balance the design. This Buckhead client absolutely loves the results! Photographer: Danna Cain, Home & Garden Design, Inc.

Steep back slope after. Pressure treated wood retaining walls to terrace the space and redwood clad facing and cap.
Photo of a small contemporary drought-tolerant hillside landscaping in Los Angeles.

Photos by ©ThompsonPhotographic.com 2019 A passion for the Southwest inspires one couple to turn their garden into a vibrant showcase for Sonoran Desert flora. By Nancy Erdmann | Photography by Steve Thompson For someone who loves to garden and has done so in many areas of the U.S., taking on the challenge of a rocky, boulder-strewn hillside lot in the Sonoran Desert is something that Carey Bertsch relishes. “I was born in Scotland but grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. My husband, Robin, is from Indiana. We have always loved everything about the Southwest. The sunny, arid climate; the lifestyle; the flora; the fauna—they all resonate with us,” she remarks. As such, the couple, who are based in Colorado, decided to purchase a part-time residence in Arizona. They found a Santa Fe Territorial-style home that’s tucked into the base of a steep slope in North Scottsdale’s Estancia community. Populated with natural boulder outcroppings, the property’s landscape was rudimentary at best. “But we saw the potential and knew it could be so much more,” recalls Carey. She and her husband lived in the house for several years before making any major changes; they recently completed a total exterior remodel.

After photo depicting pool, retaining wall, and colorful gardens planted on the steep slope.
Design ideas for a traditional hillside landscaping in New York.

This new construction home was in need of a complete landscape design and installation. All details were considered to create intimate spaces as well as a sweeping backyard landscape to compliment the views from the home. The home sits on two lots which allowed it to be built at the desired size. The front yard includes a modern entry courtyard featuring bluestone, decorative gravel and granite sculpture - as well as decorative concrete planters. The backyard has several levels. The upper level is an expanse of lawn with hedging. The middle tier planting softens the poured concrete wall. A steep slope descends to the street below. The homeowners wanted to create access from parking below to the home above, so a series of pavers and granite risers was designed to create a comfortable pathway that also forms the focal point of the backyard. Ecoturf lawn was installed on the slope to minimize the need for water and mowing. Concrete edging deliniates the lawn from the beds where a mixture of evergreen and deciduous plants create year-round interest. The overall result includes modern details and some sweeping curves that draw the eye up to the home from the street below Wiilam Wright Photography