Plants to anchor/stabilise a steep embankment?

dollylama

Hi everyone,

We recently had some groundwork done and on the corner of the site we have a steep cutting into a clay embankment.

The bank is about 12 meters in height, all virgin clay and small gravel and it's sloped as steep as could be got away with. The clay is real sticky stuff when wet and turns rock hard when dry and the bank was neatly finished or "sealed" with the digger so we're happy enough it won't start crumbling down over time.

All said, we've decided to look into getting the face of the embankment and ground above planted with a plant or shrub that would help anchor the soil... something with deep or invasive roots perhaps?

Would any of you recommend a plant, bush or shrub that would be known for anchoring or stabilising slopes? The area wouldn't be the most sheltered, it would see plenty of surface water but gets unhindered daylight also as is on high ground.

Thanks

GinSoaked

Rubus tricolour https://futureforests.ie/products/rubus-tricolor

Boring but excellent ground cover for steep banks, used it for the very purpose several times.