Neal,
I have Mrs. J to thank for planting that slope. Bless her. She was wise enough to plant four different kinds of junipers across that wide space with different growth habits for erosion control. Along with the white fir, she planted a couple of liquid amber trees, two types of forsythia shrubs, a cotoneaster, irises and the vinca. There are volunteer oaks and a species roses, too. Oh, and some digger pines that I'll have to remove.
Below the slope there was nothing but decorative rock between the fence and the house.
She did plant a 'Tropicana' in the side yard and a spieria near the woodshed and a beautiful dogwood.
Even the side yard was mostly decorative rock.
Getting that slope planted must have been a huge project .... even if she did have help back in the day.
She imported soil for a small lawn in front of the house and that is where her primary gardening efforts were.
