From Blank Canvas to Botanical Beauty: Designing a Captivating Retaining Wall Border

Designing the Perfect Retaining Wall Border: A Guide for Beginners

Embarking on a new garden project can be incredibly exciting, especially when you’re starting with a blank canvas. A retaining wall often serves as a key structural and aesthetic element, creating opportunities for beautiful planting schemes. This guide will walk you through the process of selecting and arranging plants for your retaining wall, focusing on both visual appeal and practical considerations like sunlight exposure. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a complete beginner, this article will provide you with the knowledge you need to create a stunning, low-maintenance display.

Understanding Your Space

The first step in designing your retaining wall border is understanding your space. This includes assessing the dimensions of your wall, the amount of sunlight each section receives, and the overall style of your patio and garden. In this case, your wall is approximately 60cm high, with a border of the same width between the wall and the patio. You have two distinct sections: one that receives full sun and another that enjoys partial sun. This difference in sunlight is crucial when selecting plants, as it dictates which species will thrive in each area.

Planning for Trailing and Upright Plants

To create a visually dynamic border, consider a combination of trailing and upright plants. Trailing plants will soften the edges of the wall, creating a cascading effect, while upright plants will add height and structure. Aim for a balanced composition, considering the size, shape, and texture of the plants.

Trailing Plants

For the front of your retaining wall, trailing plants are an excellent choice. They will spill over the edge, softening the hard lines of the wall and adding a touch of whimsy. Here are some recommendations for trailing plants that thrive in various conditions:

• Full Sun:

  • Phlox subulata ‘McDaniel’s Cushion’: This creeping phlox variety is known for its vibrant pink flowers and dense, mat-forming growth habit. It’s perfect for creating a carpet of color and texture, and it’s relatively low-maintenance.
  • Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum): Creeping thyme is a fragrant, low-growing plant that forms a dense mat of tiny leaves. It produces small, delicate flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white, and it’s incredibly drought-tolerant.
  • White Pearl: This plant is a great choice if you want a trailing plant with white flowers. Its elegant blooms will add a touch of sophistication to your garden.
  • Trailing Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Prostratus’): This variety of rosemary has a cascading growth habit and produces fragrant, needle-like leaves and pale blue flowers. It’s also drought-tolerant and adds a lovely herbal scent to the garden.
  • Trailing Petunias: Available in a wide range of colors and patterns, trailing petunias are popular for their profuse blooms and cascading habit. They thrive in full sun and require regular watering and fertilizing to produce their best display.

• Partial Sun:

  • Trailing Vinca (Vinca minor): This evergreen groundcover has glossy leaves and produces small, periwinkle-blue flowers. It’s a versatile plant that tolerates partial shade and can handle various soil conditions.
  • Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ (Golden Creeping Jenny): This plant features bright chartreuse leaves and a creeping growth habit. It’s a great option for adding a pop of color to shady areas, and it’s relatively easy to grow.
  • Trailing Lobelia: Trailing Lobelia is a great option for a pop of color in the partial sun. It has beautiful blue, purple, or pink flowers that cascade over the edge of your wall.

Upright Plants

At the back of the border, you’ll want to select plants with a bit of height to create a sense of depth and visual interest. Aim for plants that will grow to around 50cm, complementing the trailing plants and creating a balanced composition. Consider these options:

• Full Sun:

  • Lavender (Lavandula): Lavender is a classic choice for sunny gardens. It produces fragrant, purple flower spikes and attracts bees and butterflies. Consider varieties like ‘Munstead’ or ‘Hidcote’ for their compact size and beautiful blooms. They also offer a gorgeous scent!
  • Catmint (Nepeta): Catmint is a hardy perennial that produces masses of blue, purple, or white flowers. It’s drought-tolerant and attracts pollinators, and it has a long bloom time.
  • Coneflowers (Echinacea): Coneflowers come in a range of colors, including purple, pink, yellow, and orange. They are relatively low-maintenance and attract butterflies. They also bloom for a long period.
  • Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia): This plant has silvery foliage and produces tall spikes of lavender-blue flowers. It’s drought-tolerant and adds a touch of elegance to the garden.

• Partial Sun:

  • Hosta: Hosta plants are a great option for shade gardens. They come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors, and their lush foliage adds texture and interest to the border.
  • Coral Bells (Heuchera): Coral bells offer a wide range of foliage colors, from deep purple to chartreuse to burgundy. They produce delicate flower spikes and are relatively low-maintenance.
  • Astilbe: Astilbes thrive in partial shade and moist soil. They produce fluffy, colorful flower plumes in shades of pink, red, purple, or white. They’re a great option for adding a touch of elegance to the garden.

Planning and Planting Placement

With your plant selections in mind, it’s time to plan your planting placement. Consider the following factors:

• Sunlight: Make sure to place plants in the areas where they will receive the appropriate amount of sunlight.
• Growth Habits: Consider the mature size and shape of each plant and how it will interact with the surrounding plants.
• Color and Texture: Mix and match plants with different colors, textures, and heights to create a visually interesting display.
• Spacing: Give each plant enough space to grow to its mature size. Refer to the plant labels for spacing recommendations.
• Groupings: Consider planting in groups of three or five for a more impactful visual effect. This creates a sense of unity and cohesion.
• Succession Planting: To ensure a continuous display of color, consider incorporating plants with different bloom times.

Getting Started: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Prepare the Soil: Before planting, prepare the soil by removing any weeds, rocks, and debris. Amend the soil with compost or other organic matter to improve drainage and fertility.
2. Layout Your Design: Use stakes, string, or landscape paint to mark out the planting areas. This will help you visualize your design and ensure proper spacing.
3. Planting: Dig holes that are the same depth as the plant’s root ball and twice as wide. Gently remove the plant from its container and loosen the roots. Place the plant in the hole and backfill with soil, gently firming it around the roots.
4. Watering: Water the newly planted plants thoroughly and consistently, especially during the first few weeks. Water deeply and less frequently to encourage deep root growth.
5. Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
6. Maintenance: Regularly water, fertilize, and prune your plants as needed. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms.

Additional Tips and Considerations

• Consider the soil type: Ensure the plants you choose are suited to the type of soil in your garden. Some plants prefer well-draining soil, while others prefer moist soil.
• Watering: Install a drip irrigation system to ensure your plants get consistent water, and avoid the hassle of watering by hand.
• Seasonal Interest: Choose a mix of plants with varying bloom times, foliage colors, and textures to ensure your garden is visually interesting year-round.
• Wildlife-Friendly Plants: Include plants that attract pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. This will not only enhance the beauty of your garden but also support local ecosystems.
• Local Nurseries: Visit local nurseries to find plants that are well-suited to your climate and region. Nursery staff can also provide valuable advice and recommendations.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment: Gardening is an ongoing process of learning and experimentation. Don’t be afraid to try new things and adjust your plans as needed.

Embrace the Journey

Designing and planting a retaining wall border is a rewarding process. It’s about creating a space that reflects your style and brings you joy. Start with a plan, but be open to adjustments and embrace the learning process. With careful planning and a little effort, you can transform your retaining wall into a stunning focal point in your garden, bringing color, texture, and life to your outdoor space.