Landscaping for a Sloped Yard in Boise, ID

At Bella Vista Landscape, we are professionals, and we get it--landscape design for a property with a slope in the yard or a hilly area can be challenging, especially if you want it to be a functional space! With our years of experience and expertise, we can help you with the careful planning, design, and execution it takes to create a beautiful and usable space, regardless of the topography of your yard. Give us a call at (208) 995-3532 or fill out our online contact form if you’d like to work with a professional, which we highly recommend! Working with a professional can greatly reduce the uncertainty and the trial-and-error that can be part of this task, and our team of experts is eager to help you create your dream yard. In the meantime, we will share a list of options for landscaping a sloped property. 


  1. Use a retaining wall to eliminate the slope entirely. If you already know that you don’t want to deal with the sloped part of your property--whether it’s because lawn mowing is difficult or because you want your kids to have a flat space to kick a ball around, preferring a flat yard is completely fine!--a retaining wall is a quick way to get rid of the slope without affecting anything outside of your property. Retaining walls are beneficial because: 

    • They prevent erosion. Retaining walls hold soil back, which helps soil from being washed away during heavy rain or other weather events. This can help protect your lawn, your house, your garden, and prevent damage. 

    • Retaining walls improve landscaping. A retaining wall can be a decorative element, and can increase visual interest by adding texture. There are a number of different materials you can choose from when creating a retaining wall, which means you can easily add a natural and rustic look or a sleek, modern touch, depending on what your desired aesthetic is. Many clients love to plant flowers and other greenery around the retaining wall to further beautify their property!

    • They create more usable space. For this discussion, this is the most important part! A retaining wall creates a kind of “step” in your yard, which creates a flatter portion below the wall and a flatter portion above the wall rather than a slope. This frees up the flat space for patios and other functional elements. 

  2. Add steps and pathways to your yard. If you don’t mind the sloped area, consider adding steps and pathways that wind through your yard. This can make your property more accessible for visitors to enjoy, and create some wonderful visual movement by creating interesting lines throughout the terrain. 

  3. Add a water feature. As a homeowner with a sloped property, you are uniquely positioned to add a water feature that fits perfectly with the natural shape of your yard! Water features can raise property values, and a waterfall or fountain can add the delightful sound of running water, which is not only soothing but can also serve to mask the noise of traffic or nearby neighbors. Water features are an excellent way to add a sense of peace to your property. 

  4. Take your sloped yard into consideration when choosing vegetation. Water always runs downhill. This is important to remember when you’re selecting plants for your yard! Water runs off quickly, and this can cause the soil to be eroded over time. When making decisions regarding the plants you will put on a slope, look for plants with deep root systems that can help stabilize the soil. Groundcover plants and native grasses are a great option. Avoid planting trees or shrubs on steep slopes, as slopes can cause these plants to struggle with establishing a hearty root system. 


Whether your property has a slope or not, our experienced staff at Bella Vista Landscape is eager to serve you! We take great pride in helping our clients’ vision for their property come true, and we love helping our friends and neighbors here in Boise, Nampa, and Meridian, ID and all surrounding areas fully enjoy their property. Fill out our online contact form or give us a call at (208) 995-3532 with any questions or for more information today!

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