How to Landscape a Retaining Wall
- 1). Look at the land around the retaining wall and make a list of design ideas and considerations. If the wall supports a steep slope, note if the ground is level enough for a flower bed. If not, groundcover may be more appropriate. Consider whether the wall provides an area for a bench or patio, and if there's grass you want to replace with mulch or gravel to reduce maintenance.
- 2). Check the drainage conditions of the soil above and below the retaining wall. The tops of slopes typically have good drainage, while water can form puddles near the bottom.
- 3). Use a shovel to dig a trench for a drainage system at the foot of the slope if the soil is too moist. If the retaining wall is built from landscape timbers, drill a hole every 2 feet along the bottom of the wall to allow excess water to escape easily. You can dig a 12-inch wide, 8-inch deep ditch along the base of the wall to direct water away from the area. Depending on the amount of excess water, you can lay a drainage pipe in the ditch and collect the water for irrigation, or line the ditch with river rocks.
- 4). Purchase hardy shrubs or groundcover that requires the same growing conditions as your site provides. Plants add color and energy, and their root systems help prevent erosion. Arrange plants and seedlings according to their spacing requirements and your visual preference. Straight rows will produce a formal look, while plants in clusters look more natural. Plant them in the soil held back by the retaining wall.
- 5). Arrange landscaping boulders on the slope retained by the wall. Bury the bottom quarter for stability. Boulders add a sense of permanence to a landscape and enhance the contours of a slope.
- 6). Spread a 2-to 4-inch layer of mulch or gravel around the plants to reduce weeds and add a finished look to the top of the wall.
- 7). Add a garden at the foot of the retaining wall or in front of the drainage ditch. The wall will serve as a garden border and backdrop, and the garden will add contrast to the textures of the stone or brick wall. Low-growing perennials and flowering herbs will draw the eye up from lush green grass on the lawn to the boulders and plants above it.