Unique Ideas for Landscaping a Hill

Retaining Wall

Many homeowners choose to install a retaining wall to get the most out of their hilly lawn. Retaining walls work best when hills are too steep for regular mowing or planting. By utilizing a tiered system, you create several flat, raised areas that are more useful than the natural shape of the hill. Use these ledges to add beautiful flowers and shrubs, or even to plant a garden.

Mulch

If your hill is very steep and maintenance has become a hassle, another solution is to simply cover the hill with mulch. Although this idea may be too bland for some homeowners, once installed, the landscaping is virtually maintenance free.

Shrubs

Thick, hearty shrubs can be a great solution to hillside landscaping. These plants typically aren't as susceptible to erosion as more delicate flower species and they can be used in conjunction with mulch. Shrubs will require regular pruning to retain their clean shape, however.

Rock Garden

If you're looking for something with a little more visual interest, consider installing a rock garden. Like mulch, this landscaping idea requires very little upkeep but can still be a beautiful accent to your home. The trick to a successful rock garden, is investing in several larger stones to add texture and interest to the landscape. Look for rocks dug from a local quarry so they retain the local personality of the area. To help with drainage, consider adding a dry stone creek bed at the bottom of the hill. Designed properly, it will look like a beautiful natural feature during the dry season and will prevent water from pooling in your yard during the rainy season.