Taming a Slop CLICK HERE to find the plant list, care instructions, and more tips for gardening on a sunny, terraced slope. Outlined at right, left to right: LUSCIOUS® BANANARAMA™ Lantana, LAKOTA™ Santa Fe Echinacea, MOJAVE® Tangerine Portulaca, LUCIOUS® Royale Piña Colada Lantana and VERMILLIONAIRE® Cuphea NEW These homeowners transformed an unusable, hot, sunny slope into a dramatic focal point in their landscape, reclaiming lost ground and preventing erosion and runoff in the process. To give it a more natural look, the landscape contractor terraced the hillside using irregular-sized slabs of weathered sandstone outcropping, stacking them to build a curved staircase and three tiers of planting beds. To conserve resources, they made a conscious decision to only grow low water use plants in this space. Shrubs and perennials were installed first; their extensive root systems bind the soil in place as they mature. Gaps were filled with colorful, easy care annuals. Lastly, a generous layer of shredded hardwood mulch was spread to conserve moisture and keep the plants’ roots cool. 24