Retaining walls do more than hold soil in place. They shape your garden, create levels, and add structure, but they can often look a bit plain.
By planting cascading varieties, you can soften the hard edges and turn bare stone into a lush backdrop of flowers and foliage.
These plants spill gracefully over the sides, bringing movement, color, and charm to walls of all sizes. They also help protect the soil while brightening up dull corners.
If your garden wall feels stark or unwelcoming, try adding some of these trailing beauties to make it come alive.
#1 Creeping Thyme
Creeping Thyme forms a fragrant carpet of tiny leaves and purple-pink flowers. It’s low-growing, only about 4 inches tall, and thrives in full sun.
This plant handles heat well and releases a lovely scent when brushed. Plant it in well-drained soil and let it trail naturally down the wall. Water lightly during dry spells to keep the foliage lush.
#2 Virginia Creeper
Virginia Creeper is a vigorous climber with leaves that shift beautifully through the seasons. It starts purple in spring, turns green in summer, and blazes red in autumn.
It grows quickly, covering walls with ease. Give it sturdy support and prune back when it gets too wild. Water young plants regularly to help the roots establish.
#3 Lobelia
Lobelia adds a cascade of blue, purple, or white flowers that last through summer. It’s a shade-loving plant that softens walls with vibrant color.
Keep the soil consistently moist and pinch off faded blooms to encourage new ones. This will also improve airflow and prevent mildew. Plant several together for a waterfall effect.
#4 Sweet Potato Vines
Sweet Potato Vines are fast growers with heart-shaped leaves in shades of green, chartreuse, or deep purple. They can sprawl up to 6 feet wide, making them excellent for covering large areas.
Plant them in rich soil with plenty of sunlight for the best leaf color. Water regularly and trim back if they begin to overtake other plants. Their dramatic foliage creates instant impact.
#5 Fan Flower (Scaevola)
Fan Flower brings a cheerful touch with its unique fan-shaped blue blooms that last from spring until frost. It thrives in hot, sunny spots and trails beautifully over edges.
Use it in hanging baskets or along wall tops for the fullest effect. Water deeply once a week and allow the soil to dry slightly between watering. Feed monthly to keep the flowers coming.
#6 Clematis
Clematis is a climbing favorite with showy flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white. It can reach heights of 6 to 20 feet, depending on the variety.
Plant it in well-drained soil with roots shaded and top growth in the sun. Tie the young stems to supports to guide them. Prune after flowering to keep vines healthy and blooming.
#7 Blue Rock Binweed (Convolvulus Sabatius)
Blue Rock Bindweed creates a soft curtain of lavender-blue blooms through summer. It stays low to the ground but spreads nicely across walls.
Give it a sunny position and light, sandy soil for the best results. Water weekly in dry weather and trim back to control its spread. Its cheerful flowers add a seaside feel to the garden.
#8 Helichrysum Petiolare
Helichrysum Petiolare is known for its silvery, trailing foliage that pairs beautifully with brighter plants. While it does bloom, the flowers are rare and not its main attraction.
Plant it in full sun and give it well-drained soil. Water lightly, as it tolerates dry conditions once established. Use it to soften edges and add contrast in color and texture.
#9 Candy Tuft
Candy Tuft is a compact plant with clusters of snowy white flowers in early spring. It’s perfect for brightening up rock walls and sunny borders.
This plant enjoys full sun and well-drained soil. Trim it back after flowering to maintain a neat shape. Combine it with creeping plants for a layered look.
#10 Golden Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
Golden Creeping Jenny creates a glowing carpet with its rounded yellow-green leaves. In summer, small yellow flowers appear among the foliage.
It grows quickly and looks stunning as it tumbles down walls. Plant it in moist soil and partial shade for the best color. Water regularly to keep the leaves bright and lush.
#11 English Ivy
English Ivy is a classic climber that adapts to sun or shade. Its dark green leaves cover walls densely, and in fall, it produces clusters of berries that birds love.
It can grow very large, so regular trimming is important. Plant it in fertile, moist soil and water well during dry periods. Use it where you want a bold, evergreen cover.
#12 Bacopa (Sutera Cordata)
Bacopa produces delicate trailing stems filled with tiny white, blue, or pink blooms. It flowers nonstop in the right conditions, especially with consistent moisture.
Place it in partial shade and protect it from hot afternoon sun. Pinch back tips to encourage fuller growth. It’s perfect for softening small walls or containers.
#13 Creeping Phlox
Creeping Phlox creates a blanket of star-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white. It spreads beautifully, covering walls with color in mid-spring.
Plant it in sunny spots with well-drained soil. Shear back lightly after blooming to keep the mat dense. It’s one of the easiest ways to add a vibrant splash of spring color.
#14 Wave Petunia
Wave Petunias are vigorous spreaders with nonstop blooms in many colors. They trail gracefully, reaching up to 4 feet in length.
Plant them in sunny areas with rich, moist soil. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms. Feed every two weeks with liquid fertilizer for maximum flower power.
#15 Dichondria “Silver Falls”
Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’ has shimmering silver-green leaves that spill elegantly over the edges. It forms long trailing stems up to 4 feet and thrives in full sun.
Plant it in sandy or well-drained soil for best results. Water sparingly, as it prefers drier conditions once established. Its metallic foliage looks especially striking against stone walls.