Is a retaining wall needed for your garden? You don’t have to settle for a large stone or concrete structure that may seem unsightly. Instead, view it as an opportunity to create a beautiful display of cascading plants and foliage. By carefully selecting a variety of plants that naturally cascade, you can achieve a soft, romantic garden look. Whether you prefer vibrant blooms overflowing in spring or a stream of green that maintains its color throughout summer, here are the top ten cascading plants ideal for your retaining wall.
1. – **Botanical Name:** Phlox stolonifera
– **Sun Exposure:** Full, partial
– **Soil Type:** Loamy, well-drained
– **Soil pH:** Acidic, neutral, alkaline
– **USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:** 5-9
– *Description:* Creeping phlox features pink and purple flowers that bloom in March and early April, heralding the arrival of spring. Its delicate, cheerful blooms spill over walls and sidewalks, creating a charming display of tiny blossoms. This plant spreads quickly, making it ideal for rapid coverage, but it requires monitoring to prevent it from taking over the garden.
2. **Candytuft**
– **Botanical Name:** Iberis sempervirens
– **Sun Exposure:** Full, partial
– **Soil Type:** Well-drained
– **Soil pH:** Acidic, neutral, alkaline
– **USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:** 3-9
– *Description:* Candytuft boasts perky white flowers that bloom abundantly from late spring into summer, providing a continuous display until the summer heat intensifies. This low-lying plant gradually spreads and adds a touch of elegance without overwhelming the garden.
3. **Trailing Lobelia**
– **Botanical Name:** Lobelia erinus
– **Sun Exposure:** Full, partial
– **Soil Type:** Moist, well-drained
– **Soil pH:** Acidic, neutral
– **USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:** 10-11
– *Description:* Trailing lobelia offers charming blue flowers that bloom profusely throughout the summer, attracting pollinators like butterflies. Its trailing growth pattern elegantly cascades over walls, enhancing the garden without dominating the space.
4. **Creeping Jenny**
– **Botanical Name:** Lysimachia nummularia
– **Sun Exposure:** Full, partial
– **Soil Type:** Well-draining sandy, loamy, or clay
– **Soil pH:** Acidic, alkaline, neutral
– **USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:** 4-9
– *Description:* Creeping jenny, also known as moneywort due to its coin-shaped leaves,
Dichondra Silver Falls is a desert plant in its natural habitat, but it is commonly grown as a stunning annual in the Southern regions. Its silver-green leaves elegantly spill over walls, creating a soft and dreamy appearance. While it may produce small white flowers in summer, its true beauty lies in complementing other trailing blooms like creeping thyme.
Creeping Thyme, also known as Thymus spp., thrives in full sun and well-drained sandy soil with a neutral to alkaline pH. This groundcover boasts pink and purple flowers with a savory fragrance reminiscent of cooking delicious meals. Its low-maintenance nature allows it to spread easily, covering garden borders and retaining walls effortlessly.
Vinca Major ‘Variegata’ or Vinca Vine, is a striking plant with light and dark green colors that quickly cover retaining walls. While its rapid spread can be both a blessing and a curse, the sweet periwinkle blooms soften its invasive reputation. This perennial vine thrives in full to partial sun, in moist, well-drained, rich, loamy soil with an acidic pH.
New Dawn Rose, also known as Rosa ‘New Dawn’, is a romantic addition to any garden with its cascading blooms. This climbing rose variety thrives in full to partial sun, in slightly acidic, moist, and well-drained soil. Its light pink blooms will grace your garden for years to come, evoking images of quaint cottages and secret gardens.
Lemon Coral Sedum or Sedum mexicanum ‘Lemon Coral’ features a vibrant chartreuse color that adds a pop to any garden. This plant thrives in full to partial sun, in well-drained, sandy, and rocky soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. It easily forms a hanging carpet off retaining walls and roots easily, so be mindful of any fallen pieces that could grow into a secondary bed of sedum below.
