My front hill needs help

I bought this house a couple years ago, and after trying almost everything to get rid of the ivy on the hill, I am getting closer to having a "blank" canvas to begin landscaping. The problem is I've researched sun, soil, and sizes for plants in my zone, but the people at the nursery don't seem to agree with everything I have read about my plant selections/locations. The hill is west facing and gets very hot FULL sun from late morning to early evening during the summer. Since this picture was taken, I painted the railing black and the front door is yellow.

So here goes...I plan to have a driveway cut into the hill on the left side of the house, and to install a stone wall along the bottom of the hill about 12" high in line with the bottom of the stairs. Where the stone wall meets the driveway, I would like it to turn up the hill on both sides of the driveway as a retaining wall. I was thinking of stacked slate along the bottom of the hill, but since it would probably look best to use the same material for the driveway walls as the front walls, I may decide to use landscape block.

Even though I'm not quite ready to build the driveway/walls yet, I really need to get some plants on that hill. I want a clean and simple landscape. The neighborhood was built on what was an old rock quarry, so there are a few small boulders scattered randomly throughout the hill. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

What sorts of things were you interested in? Folks here can give you a second opinion to compare to what the people at the nursery told you, then if what you wanted really won't work I'm sure people will have ideas of substitutes that might give you a similar look but be more appropriate for your conditions.

Good point. Thanks, ecrane3

I thought about planting a tree peony with double white or pale yellow blooms at the top of the hill on both sides at the property line. I would like to plant a free form, curvy bed on either side of the stairs that starts off larger at the top and narrows in as it gets to the middle or bottom of the stairs. I thought about planting White rugosa roses, and a couple sedums, maybe Sedum 'Xenox' with Sedum spurium 'Tricolor' in front. Maybe a couple of lavender shrubs along the top of the hill between the tree peony and the rose bed.

I don't know how to break up the rest of the hill though. I have thought about leaving sections that wind through the beds for a simple ground cover like creeping thyme or the pink iceplant (delosperma cooperi), something that will stay really low, but add a pretty pop of color.

I love tulips, so maybe in the corners along the bottom of the hill and the property lines plant some tulips there. Just not sure what to plant with the tulips for more of a year round interest.

I wonder if you might not get some good ideas from studying pics of Asian gardens? Some well placed rocks and paths might be just as effective as a lot of plants and it would achieve that "clean" look you're going for. You could try to create the illusion of a rocky mountainside with boulders and a dry stream of big pebbles, maybe? Set a Japanese lantern somewhere as a focal point midway on the hillside (sort of to represent a miniature "temple?") Low growing juniper trained into a sort of "bonsai" to represent trees would be good, and juniper loves hot dry rocky conditions. Just a suggestion.... hope it helps spark some ideas! Good luck!

There's some sloped yard videos on HGTV if you want to check them out
and slide shows on better homes and gardens

http://www.bhg.com/gardening/landscaping-projects/landscape-basics/hillside-landscaping-ideas/
http://www.bhg.com/gardening/landscaping-projects/landscape-basics/slope-solutions/

For a clean look in full sun, ornamental grasses are a great idea

LysmachiaMoon, Thank you for the suggestions. I'm not sure a pathway would be very safe on such a steep hill, but I love the idea of using the existing boulders that are already on the hill and later down the road when I get the driveway cut-in, I'm sure I'll have many more to add to the landscape. In addition to the ivy that is scattered throughout the neighborhood there are a few homes that have the large, low growing juniper. Although a very natural, maintenance free look, I was hoping to add a bit more color and uniqueness to my yard. I have a very plain and simple 1950's mid century home. The inside is contemporary with fun feminine details scattered throughout, but I'm struggling with bringing that part of me outside. That's probably why one of my first projects was painting the front door a fun, cheery yellow. You have definitely sparked some ideas...I'm just still a bit unsure of how to make the hill look passable with just plantings while I'm saving for the hardscaping. Thanks again.

flowAjen, I've been to this website many times and it has such wonderful ideas. I particularly love the garden plans. The landscape link you provided does have some great looks. I think a lot of them would be fantastic for my back yard hill when I'm ready to take on that project. I will definitely add some ornamental grasses in to the mix...thanks for the suggestions.

I am on a corner and have steep hills on the West and North sides. When I was working on my hill I had posted many photos to a previous landscaping forum that has disappeared from here. I wish that I could direct you to that. I don't have the time to re-post it all.

Given that you are putting in a driveway I assume it is going to a garage. Have you thought of putting the garage to the front of the house and having a green roof on it, a patio, or some such structure? You could put on more attractive doors or have a mural painted on it to avoid the more garage than house look. I suggest this to avoid the cost of digging the driveway, plus the hassle and cost of the driveway walls. You could then use the money you save to terrace the front hill or add other hardscape.

A couple of suggestions since you have a clean slate, if you could get that hardscape in first you will avoid a lot of hassle re-planting and moving of plants. If not at least leave those areas open so you can put it in later. Choose your trees and shrubs first. For a feminine look think cottage garden.

Here are two Japanese gardens near where I live, Japanese gardens are lovely and calm and one huge amount of work.

http://www.comozooconservatory.org/attractions/gardens/japanesegarden/#/info

http://www.normandale.edu/japanesegarden/index.cfm

I am adding a photo from the early stages of my West facing hill, it is in partial sun.

I have a west facing hill in Fairfax and for 20 years mowed grass, then had azaleas and lilies. Heavy rains started gullies so I bit the bullet and had a professional landscape designer come and give me ideas. I ended up getting two dry stacked stone walls about 36 inches tall installed by his crew. It has been wonderful but I really need a third terrace but finances do not allow it at the present time. I had this done 5 years ago but health issues and age has me still 'trying' plants as the deer love my yard and help themselves to most things I have tried. Be careful not to expose much soil on your hill or gullies will form. I wish you the best. Hills are tough.