I have a large retaining wall - 200 blocks, each block is approx 2'x3'x3', the wall is four blocks high in a stepped retaining wall style. The blocks are made of cement - not pretty, very plain. Any suggestions of plantings I can use to help beautify this wall. It is a functional wall - can't be removed. I would love some suggestions.
If it's an old wall then most of the salts and impurities will have been washed out of the concrete, can you make planting holes in the stepping blocks and maybe plant them up with annuals etc, or creeping evergreen Ivy, but Ivy can be a problem if not cut back every few years to keep it in check, depending on your soil, Heathers can withstand really cold winter temps and they now come in different colours, flower at different times of year and dont really need much care at all except a haircut after flowering, it the wall is in shade look for shade loving plants like ferns, etc, once I have a really good think I will be able to get back to you but as Jasperdale has said, more info would help a bit. even a picture would be great. WeeNel.
Hi Carrie,
since it sounds like a rather tall wall, perhaps you could grow large woody vines on it like grapes or wisteria. I guess it depends on the angle of the wall, too flat and they wont grow right. I have seen native grapes growing in Nevada where they are rooted at the top or bottom or a rocky cliff and grow 30 or 40 feet up or down. I think one of the universities in Minnesota is experimenting with cold hardy grapes that still bear fruit after their cold winters.
Another plant that would hide it quickly is sunflowers. Mine grow about 8 feet tall by June.
One important factor is the direction that the wall faces. you'll have a much harder time finding something that will cover a north facing wall than a south facing one.
Janel
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