Marianne's Response

Cinder block, retaining wall

Hi Marianne, I have a 5’ x 60‘ cinder block retaining wall (see photo) that I’d like to cover with some sort of vine/plant. I like the look of Rock Cress Cascading “Aubrieta Hybrida Superbissima Cascade Purple” (see photo) but I’m not sure it will grow well in the Sacramento, CA area (zone 9) where I live. I am new to gardening and we are currently experiencing a drought so I’m leaning towards something easy to take care of and drought proof; possibly even a succulent. Do you have any suggestions?

Posted by William Tierney on September 14, 2021

Marianne's Response

For your hot summer climate I recommend a Rosemary 'Prostratus' that will drape over the wall as you will have fragrance, spring blooms and evergreen foliage. You can also add some hanging succulents such as burrows tale or consider a heat loving vine like the trumpet vine. I do like the look of the Aurbretia but I do not think that plant would survive your summer heat.   When growing the herb Rosemary be sure the site has good drainage and do not over feed or give too much water. Rosemary is easy to propagate from cutting and will root where it touches the soil so you can get many plant cuttings from just one mother plant. Be sure you get the variety mentioned above as some Rosemary will only grow upright into a shrub but for you wall you need the Prostratus variety that will cascade. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti