ᐅ How to Properly Plant on a Wall Made of Granite Blocks?

Hello everyone,

Last week, we had a retaining wall built from granite blocks to separate the terrace area from the higher “soon-to-be garden” on our sloped property.
The three rows of granite blocks are staggered so they can be used as seating. We also left gaps between them. The plan is to plant in these gaps. Now, I’m finding it harder than expected to come up with ideas. The spaces are filled with a mix of gravel and topsoil. The goal is to find visually appealing plants that also help prevent the infill material from washing out during rain. Do you have any suggestions, ideas, examples…?
The wall is still a bit dirty. I will clean the stones properly soon.
Thanks and best regards

Nice!
Just a few more questions:
Which cardinal direction?
Will the house cast shadows on the stones at any time?
What will be placed over the stones? Will there be shrubs or trees that might cast shadows?

Hello Stefan,
nice little wall! Choose a variety of different succulents and plant them in the gaps by gently pressing their roots into some soil. In our experience, this works even in shaded areas, although most of the plants do appreciate some sunlight. At first, heavy rain might wash them out, but after a while they will stay put.

Thanks for the feedback.

Müllerin schrieb:

Which compass direction?
Does the house cast shadows on the stones at any time?
What will be placed above the stones—shrubs or trees that might cast shadows?

The sun is basically behind the wall most of the time, which means the upper stones cast shadows on the lower ones. A low grassy area will be planted above the stones.

hampshire schrieb:

Hello Stefan,
nice little wall! Take a selection of different succulents and plant them in the gaps by pressing them in with a bit of soil around the roots. It also works for us in less sunny areas, although most of them really appreciate some sun. At first, heavy rain can wash them out, but eventually they hold.

I had to look up succulents first.
That’s actually the concern—that the soil will wash out with the rain. Are there plants that are more on the flowering side? Some of the mentioned plants aren’t very attractive, or am I mistaken? Do you maybe have a picture? The goal is to have the wall beautifully planted with a colorful variety.

Stefan2.84 schrieb:

I had to look up succulent first.

Me too, I saw the term here for the first time, even though I already had those plants in the wall. Since then, I’ve come across the term more often and added it to my active vocabulary. They can be very attractive and do bloom—try googling succulents with flowers. I don’t have a photo right now and my entrance is cluttered and not very photogenic.

Why aren’t succulents considered attractive? Bright yellow-flowering stonecrop looks great...