What do with a yard that is more like a rock cliff?

Jer21655848
by Jer21655848
My yard is more like a rock cliff can't afford to fill it in to build it up level so what could I do to make it nicer so we have a place outside to enjoy. I love watching the wild critters play. This is some of the smaller rocks but it's almost complete rock, it all slopes downhill. What's your suggestion?
  7 answers
  • Bijous Bijous on Jul 09, 2018

    Hi, embrace the rocks. Make this area into a rock garden with container plants rather than trying to fight your surroundings. Enjoy what critters also enjoy.

  • Swinnen Lisette Swinnen Lisette on Jul 09, 2018

    You say it is on a slope. Is it very steep? Maybe you could put a small table with uneven legs?

  • Teacup8885 Teacup8885 on Jul 10, 2018

    get some wild flower , alfalfa, flochs flower seed n place all orver!

  • Leona Leona on Jul 10, 2018

    Don't you just love a challenge. lol. Since I don't know your weather conditions--here are some ideas anyway. Build a small patio that slightly juts out over the slope using poured round cement supports for the taller legs and recycled plastic lumber for the deck; big enough for chairs and a small round table with umbrella and maybe a cute outdoor rug.


    Build a simple pond/stream/fountain with recirculating water using the rock slope (even an enclosed rocky dry stream bed would look nice).


    Using wild flower seeds and creeping ground covers (a variety) along with potted plants (both annuals and permanent shrubs or small trees) around it along with some logs or wood stumps for a natural look would be pretty.

    Logs or a pile of circled rocks can also hold a bag of soil for flowers or tall clump grass. Enclose it or line with landscape cloth to keep soil from washing away with rain.


    Making small groupings (or little islands) of different flower/grass/etc. all along the slope will give the appearance of a well planned or natural hillside. Wishing you the best for a beautiful space.




  • Dove Dove on Jul 10, 2018

    Plant lavender.


  • Kelly-n-Tony Kelly-n-Tony on Aug 04, 2018

    Embrace your rockery and simply throw seed into it that will take it over and periodically bloom with color. Look for small flowering ground cover types.


    Consider a waterfall with a pump to bring the water back up if electricity is available.


    Add a small viewing area nearby with benches. If there are trees add bird feeders. Beautiful!

  • Mindshift Mindshift on Aug 04, 2018

    Every place where grass is growing now is a place to plant flowers. Because the soil pockets between rocks are likely to be small, look for perennials in 3 to 4" pots. A four-pack or six-pack of annuals is best for very small pockets.

    Right now it's August and too hot in most parts of the country to transplant. While the plants below are sun lovers, they will require more watering if transplanted now, and your best bet is to plant sun loving annuals such as portulaca http://www.asergeev.com/pictures/archives/2015/1612/jpeg/17.jpg or its cousin purslane http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-azn37X-36gQ/ToE2tlTIGoI/AAAAAAAAGv0/RDlCXyk2izs/s1600/IMG_3928.jpg which both grow up to 9" tall and 12" wide. You might be able to find some verbena http://bossierpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/HomesteadPurpleVerbena.jpg which grows 6 to 12" tall and spreads up to 36". The Madagascar periwinkle can grow up to 2 ft tall and wide http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pee_NWgJyYE/S8BykojWWSI/AAAAAAAAABE/U3sn5kHDS-w/s1600/10apr%2710,vinca+ls.jpg. However, all of the above are likely to stay small due to the lateness of planting.

    Depending on where you live, you may be able to plant cool season annuals such as pansy, snapdragon, stock, and calendula this fall. You may also be able to plant perennial flowers this fall, especially in zones 8 and 9. But most perennials will be best added next spring.

    Lantana is a relative of verbena, and there are dwarf cultivars in pink, yellow and white http://www.glendaleaz.watersavingplants.com/PlantMaster/Photos/36008a.jpg , and creeping types http://www.ladwp.cafriendlylandscaping.com/PlantMaster/Photos/24524a.jpg in blue-violet and white. There are two genera of creeping zinnia. The first, Zinnia angustifolia, grows 6 to 12" tall and up to 16" wide. It is prone to late summer powdery mildew in humid or wetter climates but continues to bloom anyway in orange, yellow and white. http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1296/1022841190_b216026c31_z.jp g The second is Sanvitalia procumbens which grows 6" tall but spreads to 18" wide. It prefers more moisture and does better in humid climates.