Steep slopes in the garden are often viewed as a negative thing - at least by those who’ve had the displeasure of trying to push wheelbarrows up them or weed across them.

But in my experience, the houses that sit in these gardens and the gardens themselves in fact are often owners of fabulous views.

Whether the front garden disappears downhill giving way to a splendid view of the Gare Loch or the back garden rises steeply from the back door, both provide opportunities to not only create spectacular landscapes but to be a part of one.

We all want what we don’t have. Girls with straight hair want curly hair, those that are petite want to be supermodel tall and those with flat gardens want to add drama with slopes and level changes.

So, if you have a sloping garden stop viewing it as a barrier and start seeing it as a benefit to a great garden with these tips on coping with sloping gardens.

A knee jerk reaction to a slope is ‘terrace it’.

I’m not discounting this as a good solution as this may give you the opportunity to grow a wider variety of plants, but multiple terraces can sometimes look dull and unimaginative (not to mention expensive!)

A network of meandering paths and steps around the slope can improve access and add interest.

Level out some areas using retaining walls to accommodate secluded seating areas to take in the view of the garden and the wider landscape beyond.

One of the main challenges faced by gardeners on a slope is soil erosion and run off.

Well chosen trees, shrubs and evergreen ground cover will stabilise soil and drink up excess water. Willow, River Birch (Betula nigra) and Sweet Gum (Liquidambar styraciflua) grow well on wet ground and you can’t go wrong with almost any species of ivy for good ground cover.

When planting, good preparation of the soil is key and this is especially important on a slope.

Take your time and dig large planting holes filled with a generous mix of good compost and topsoil to help plants establish and don’t forget to stake trees (at a 45 degree angle). Water in with a gentle spray.

You may have to water new plants at intervals, returning after the last lot of water has soaked in, to ensure the water reaches the roots.