skip to main content

Georgia Gardener

I need to cover a retaining wall

18 years ago

I need to cover a retaining wall (railroad ties) that is in places over six feet tall and runs around thirty feet long. Preferably something that is green all year and with white flowers. I know i'm asking for a lot! Please don't recommend ivy as i've just torn up over half an acre of it! Thanks

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

amyta
18 years ago
What about Confederate Jasmine?
lzygrdner
18 years ago
star jasmin is pretty, although in my garden atleast, it is slow growing...

what about climbing hydrangea?

Harriet
Related Discussions
Covering a retaining Wall
Q
Comments (2)
Thanks! I was thinking of confederate jasmine to totally cover the wall - it is a white concrete wall - To cover it with confederate jasmine will I have to put some sort of trellis on the wall? And if I do since it is concrete - what can i put on a concrete wall?
...See More
mass cover for long retaining wall--arabis? aubretia? lithodora?
Q
Comments (4)
Ceanothus, lithodora, prostrate rosemary, helianthemums and most of the typical cascading rockery plants would prefer a full sun location although a south facing wall, despite the shade cast by large trees, may be enough of an exposure to encourage the earliest bloomers to flower (before the trees fully leaf out). But none have an especially long bloom season anyway. Creeping phlox will tolerate a shadier situation as will the creeping campanulas like C. poscharkyana or portenschlagiana and their hybrids. Some hardy geraniums might work, as well.
...See More
New England Fieldstone retaining wall vs CMU retaining wall + veneer
Q
Comments (31)
Re. frost line: Since what my mason is doing is basically a dry stack wall; from here: http://www.doityourself.com/forum/lawns-landscaping-outdoor-decor/451549-frost-line-retaining-wall.html#b A dry stack wall does not matter. The joints have enough space to allow this heaving movement. The large spacious joints in a dry stack wall are like expansion joints in other strucures, they will take movement.
...See More
what material to cover large icf retaining wall
Q
Comments (7)
I'm normally a fan of stone walls, but given that your retaining wall abuts a large mass of natural stone, I think applying thin stone will likely appear to be a poor attempt at matching. I suggest you use one of the materials installed (wood or fiber-cement siding) on your home or corrugated metal panels. If you'd like to give a respectful nod to Frank Gehry's work, go with the latter and use only duct tape and super glue to install them. The caps on top of the wall will need to be modified to account for the thickness of whatever material you add.
...See More
Kathy Bochonko
18 years ago
If you need help with a climber you can staplegun chicken wire to the front of the wall to act as a trellis. Then you can grow twiners like evergreen clematis or a bunch of things. You didn't say if it is full sun or shade.
bmmalone
Original Author
18 years ago
thanks. The wall is east facing, so i am looking at confederate jasmine. Can't find any climbing hydrangea so if anyone sees any please let me know
Thanks
Kathy Bochonko
18 years ago
I saw them at Lowe's in Cumming. You could check them out when you come to get the junipers.
bobbygil
18 years ago
I have the exact same situation. I'm using evergreen clematis,coral honeysuckles,cross vines (hummers luv them),confederate jasmines(smell great), a few clematis mixed in. I have a couple of shrubs like red twig dogwoods,pyracantha and a fragrant tea olive to add some contrast. I use fence staples to train stuff against the rr ties. Spray paint them black and you don t even notice them.

Related Stories

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING 7 Out-of-the-Box Retaining Wall Ideas

Go Beyond Railroad Ties With Stylish Rock, Metal, Blocks, and Poured Concrete

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Pile On Style With a Dry-Laid Stone Retaining Wall

By Katherine Caviness

Durable, natural and practical, this landscape feature is an art form unto itself

REMODELING GUIDES Design Dilemma: How Do I Modernize My Cedar Walls?

8 Ways to Give Wood Walls a More Contemporary Look

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Garden Walls: Gabion Evolves From Functional to Fabulous

By Olander Garden Design

The permeable rock-, concrete- or glass-filled steel cages are showing up as retaining walls, planters, benches and more

FUN HOUZZ Everything I Need to Know About Decorating I Learned from Downton Abbey

Mind your manors with these 10 decorating tips from the PBS series, returning on January 5

DECORATING GUIDES Let the Handwriting Flow for Well-Scripted Designs

By Lisa Frederick

Add a graceful note (or even a whole essay) to rooms with handwritten elements on walls and accessories

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING 3-Season Rooms: Fire Warms a Pergola-Covered Pennsylvania Patio

By Becky Harris

Amish-milled lumber and local bluestone set off a focal-point fireplace beautifully in this comfy outdoor living space

CONCRETE Concrete Block Style

Industrial flair: See why concrete brick isn't just for retaining walls anymore

ROOM OF THE DAY Room of the Day: From Dark Basement to Bright Master Suite

By Jeannie Matteucci

Turning an unsightly retaining wall into an asset, these San Francisco homeowners now have a bedroom that feels like a getaway

LIFE Reading in Bed Comes Out From Under the Covers

By Lisa Frederick

No more sneaking a flashlight beneath the sheets. Grown-up bedtime reading deserves grown-up lighting and other bedside amenities

Sponsored