low maintenance evergreens for slope

by Heather
(Texas)

Was wondering what evergreens of varying sizes would be best for a steep, but small, slope. Something that is heat resistant, drought tolerant, and can handle shade and clay soil, for Hardiness Zone 7-8 and Heat Zone 8-9 in Texas. English Ivy seems the best ground cover for these conditions, just trying to find varying root system depths to help stop erosion. Not a good area to try to keep a lawn. Would really appreciate a reply if possible, all this searching has left me incredibly confused.

Doug says that this is almost an impossible type of request for me. You're asking for a combination that is going to be a tough one - all the worst possible conditions combined into one garden area. To make matters worse, I'm not a warm-climate gardener. I do have several suggestions that you might consider though.

1) Find some natives by going to your local extension folks and asking for candidates.

2) Take a look at these plants and see if they're available in local nurseries - they "might" serve you - but they're not "evergreen" in all climates. Note that these would only be my best-guesses (remember I'm not a tropical gardener)
Willowleaf Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster salicifolia)

Lamb’s Ears (Stachys byzantina)

Lavender Cotton (Santolina chamaecyparissus)

Purple Heart (Setcreasea purpurea)

St. John’s-Wort (Hypericum)

Check with a local garden shop for recommendations on these. Hope it helps.

Other than that - find some native evergreens, plant, fabric, mulch and walk away.