When building backyard devotion projects, many people recommend ravines. So what is a ravine in the backyard? How can it beautify your property?
This article will cover everything you need to know about the ravines. You can also learn some tips for creating a picturesque landscape in your yard.
Now, are you ready for this project? Let’s join us to discover!
Table of Contents
What Is A Ravine In The Backyard?
Ravines are deep and steep depressions in the soil formed when the rough edges of large glaciers receded. They are gorgeous but often sensitive ecosystems.
For the home gardener, ravines can create gardening issues because they are often steep and rocky with a stream or drainage bowl at their bottom.
However, ravines need vegetation cover to avoid or decrease erosion and entice species crucial to maintaining natural balance. These slopes are fertile because woody debris has rotted into rich soil.
Landscaping Ideas for Ravines
The idea of building ravines is to use plants and mosses to enhance the beauty of the slopes. For this purpose, you can use ground covers, trees, rain gardens, or wildflowers.
Ground Covers
Tough ground cover is a natural planting solution for a ravine because its strong roots grip the soil and keep it in place.
Some of the best options for ground covers are:
- Crown vetch
Crown vetch is a very vigorous and fast-growing plant. It can quickly cover the ground to prevent soil erosion.
You can use this plant for erosion management in some difficult-to-reach areas, such as steep or rocky slopes and poor fertility soils.
- English ivy
Ivy can stay beneath the cover and doesn’t stop the tree from obtaining sunlight because it is a shade-loving species. One reason for letting ivy take over your yard is the aesthetic value of climbing vines.
You can also keep the English ivy at ground level if you want to nurture it.
In places where it’s tough to get something to grow, it acts as a lovely green groundcover.
- Pachysandra
Pachysandra is a go-to ground cover species in hard-to-plant places like those found under trees or in shaded areas with poor soil.
Growing pachysandra plants is simple if the landscape has plenty of shade because, unlike other species, it does not mind competition for its nutrients.
- Blue fescue
Gardeners love this little decorative grass. Blue fescue is well-known for its distinctive-looking pale yellow flowers and frosty blue stems.
This flexible perennial grass grows all year long, demands little care, and does well in a variety of settings. Very few things are too harsh for Blue Fescue.
- Queen Anne’s lace
Queen Anne of England stays true to its moniker. The plant, and especially the blossoms, have the elegant look of lace thanks to its lacy, clustered flowers, and green foliage.
Full sun and well-draining soil are ideal for Queen Anne’s Lace. To grow it, you should wait until the final frost has passed because it cannot withstand freezing conditions.
Trees
Trees can create a lush canopy over the ravine and protect much wildlife.
Native trees are most suitable for ravines because they have already proven that they can adjust to and endure harsh conditions.
If you don’t know which trees to grow, consider this list:
- Red oaks
If you reside in the Northeast of the USA, red oaks are excellent plants to grow. It serves as a vital ecological resource in addition to being beautiful and a great shady tree.
Give your tree sandy and well-draining soil. It should be rich and acidic for the oak’s optimum development.
- Hickory
These plants play an essential function in the environment by giving numerous species a high-fat, high-protein food source with their nuts.
Try to choose a spot that obtains full sun or some shade. And avoid places under canopies or constructions.
- Beech
A beech tree’s flat, gray bark, which remains throughout its lifetime, makes it famous. It can grow in areas with shade and have a vast, straight trunk that rises to a peak of 80 feet.
Newly-grown beech trees require a lot of moisture. Mature trees can endure a mild drought for up to one month.
Rain Gardens
You can build one or more rain gardens in the ravine to make the most of the weather.
For example, this shallow, small depression can collect and direct runoff from impermeable surfaces like asphalt driveways, rocky terrain, rooftops, and sidewalks.
The best plants for rain gardens are native plants because of their sturdy root systems and genetic acclimation.
Wildflowers
Many people overlook wildflowers because they bloom quickly.
Moreover, they can only yield small flowers. Yet, as these hardy species are best suited for shady and sunny regions, they can also be good choices.
These species will complement your ravine:
- Three-cornered trillium
The beautiful, clover-like leaves of Trillium grandiflorum contrast its three-cornered flowers beautifully. They bloom from late spring to early summer.
This species is excellent for a woodland garden. Moreover, it can get along nicely with others that share similar environments, such as epimediums.
- Wild strawberry
The wild strawberry plant expands over time to create a lovely ground cover, measuring between 6 and 12 inches.
In general, wild strawberry flowers love the full sunlight. Although it can tolerate slightly dry weather as well, it prefers rich, moist soil.
- Bloodroot
Despite their dramatic moniker, bloodroot blooms are actually delicate, beautiful, and incredibly simple to plant.
Bloodroot grows naturally in shaded woodlands. Hence, pick a spot that catches some sunlight in the spring. Once the trees have leafed in the summer, choose a shady place.
Tips For Caring Ravines In The Backyard
You have built a beautiful ravine. Now, the issue is how to keep it beautiful at all times. The tips we share right here can help.
Control the surface water runoff
It’s crucial to manage water runoff in ravines. Hard surfaces such as patios, roads, and roofs cause water to flow into drains. If not handled correctly, it will flow down the ravine’s sides.
The slope could become unsafe if there is an accumulation of water on the land. Although water infiltration into the soil is crucial, the infiltration rate should only be moderate—not too high nor too low.
You can direct the water away from the sides or the top of your ravine slopes. And, never divert the chlorinated water from your swimming pool to the ravines.
Control invasive plants
Invasive plants can cause a significant loss in biodiversity. Natural habitats are deteriorating as a result of growing human influences such as pollution, and invasive plants make it worse.
You can employ manual methods to handle these unnecessary plants. Some practical solutions include pulling, cutting, and digging.
Dispose of yard waste
Yard waste and other debris thrown or stacked in ravines will smother native flora, promote exotic plants, and hinder rainwater from reaching the ground.
Therefore, try to refrain from dumping rubbish, compost, leaves, and yard waste into your ravine. Additionally, discard invasive species in black rubbish bags to prevent seeds from dispersing.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What can you do with a ravine?
It depends on how you want your landscape to look. The popular solutions are growing plants and flowers. You can also build ground covers or rain gardens.
2. What is the cheapest ground cover?
Creeping Periwinkle with the price of $1.07 per plant will be an excellent choice for those who are on a tight budget.
3. How can I make my backyard beautiful on a low budget?
Some small additions can transform the entire look of your backyard, such as:
- Planting flowers around your mailbox
- Raising garden beds
- Repurposing items as planters
- Adding lights
- Hanging some window boxes
4. What can you build on a ravine?
The ravine has slopes, making it hard to build something on. If you want to, only go for some small projects, such as a bench.
Conclusion
The ravine is a kind of landscape that comes with slopes and plants. It can turn your backyard into a marvelous place.
Growing plants and creating ground covers are two effective methods to beautify the ravines. Also, try to maintain their beauty by clearing the invasive, waste, and excessive water runoff.
Hopefully, you will find this article helpful. For any further information, please feel free to ask. Thank you for stopping by!