6 downward sloping garden ideas

A sloping garden provides an opportunity to create different levels. Putting in a retaining wall allows you to create areas at a variety of heights, turning a steep slope into a garden with plants that are easier to access and an attractive view from the bottom of the garden up to the top.

• Buy stone for walls at Marshalls

Put in steps

Put in steps to deal with the difference in height between the patio and the garden. This has the benefit of adding an attractive garden feature and dealing with a sloping site. Use containers as focal points or add raised beds either side and plant these up to soften the edges of the steps.

• Buy summer perennials from Crocus

Create a patio

Make the most of a small sloping garden by using the bottom or top of the garden as a patio or seating area. Work out where the sun is at different times of day before deciding where the seating area would work best and place steps to link both areas. This means you can have a secluded, relaxed place to sit out in as well as a variety of plants. If you're creating a patio outside the house, allow enough space for containers or troughs that can be planted up to add seasonal colour.

• Buy a terraced planter from Crocus

Make a winding path

Add a winding path to your slope, for a gradual route down the garden. Lining the path with plants of differing heights will help screen some of the garden from view, which will make the space feel larger than it is. To ensure the planting doesn't feel too dense, try including see-through plants such as Verbena bonariensis and Gaura lindheimeri.

• Buy summer perennials from Crocus

Add a water feature

Ease the transition between garden levels with a water feature. This can make an attractive focal point, connecting one level to another while bringing sound and movement into the space. If the water feature includes a pond, it can also help attract wildlife to the garden, such as birds, frogs and dragonflies.

• Buy a water feature from B&Q

Add a raised bed to your front garden

Use a raised bed and steps to deal with a slope in the front garden. This has the advantage of creating extra planting space that will bring colour to your front garden – include evergreen shrubs or trees to add year round interest.

• Buy shrubs from Crocus

Frequently asked questions

What are the issues with a sloping garden?

The issues include rainwater runoff which can cause soil erosion and nutrient deficiency. On steep slopes heavy rainfall can cause landslides. It can also be difficult to maintain plants on a steep slope. Putting in retaining walls or terraces can help to prevent water runoff, improve drainage and make it easier to access plants. Using the right planting, such as deep rooting shrubs, groundcover and ornamental grasses, can also help stabilise the soil.

How to level a sloping garden in the UK?

Before levelling a sloping garden, it's important to consider drainage issues, how to put in a retaining wall, whether you're are going to put in terraces and how to move the soil. It involves heavy building work and therefore it may be best to consult a professional before undertaking any major work.