Mulch madness...I don't won't grass...need help

Ellijay, GA

We live in a 2-yr-old cabin in the woods of N. Ga. In front of the cabin is a huge mound of dirt, mostly red clay and dirt. It is covered in mulch, but each rain washes some of the mulch away and some little weeds are starting. I have planted a couple of fir-type trees and some cedar-type shrubs on the mound for privacy. Also on top of the mound are some big rocks and I recently put a bird bath there. It really looks like someone with no eye for landscaping lives here! I admit it! Grass would be a problem, but I can't replace the mulch all the time. Some of my shrubs are showing signs of dying. I don't know what to do with those, either. More plants might entice the deer so I have kept that to a minimum. Does anyone have any suggestions to help my grassless landscaping? I'm sending a picture, so don't laugh...have pity! Oh yes, the cabin has mulch all around it, too.

Thumbnail by nongardener65
central, NJ(Zone 6b)

You need to make some levels there to hold the mulch back if you don't like the idea of a retaining wall, here's a HGTV curb appeal episode that fits your situation. It takes just sections of the hill and levels it with flat stones and then interplanted it so it's not a retaining wall per se.
http://www.hulu.com/watch/35362/curb-appeal-the-house-on-the-hill#x-0,vepisode,1,0

Toronto, Canada

Personally, I would build 'terraced' rockery formations- you can create 'pockets' for plantings like ornamental grasses, native shrubs and trees, groundcovers, etc. just dig 'ledges' into the slope and put the rocks in there. you could have a bit of fun and even rent an excavator! woooo!
If you don't like rocks, you can build timber retaining walls, or log timber walls with steps and planters etc...takes a bit of planning out and measuring, (and digging...) but either way, a slope of that degree will always erode.
There are a lot of plants that you could put in that will hold the soil together if you don't want to do anything too severe - go to a local garden centre and explain your situation - they can probably suggest some native plants that will do well in your area.
If you DO build any type of retaining structure, always remember to line any cracks or joints with landscape fabric, or the soil you intend to retain could leach through the cracks and you'd be back to square one! this is very important.

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