The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California

Rockweler Rockgardens

When the wall is laid with the idea of planting in mind, it is best to keep it rough and uneven, giving it something of the character of the rock garden.

Also have it slope backward toward the top, so that rain or artificial watering will have a chance to reach and soak into all the crevices or pockets.

The stones should slant downward into the soil back of them, which, to a depth of at least a few inches, is best prepared for the pur pose.

Provision for the plants should be made as the stones are laid. The accompanying sketches show both cross section and front view of such a wall and illustrate the details of construction.

Often it is possible to build a wall, especially for planting, in front of an old retaining wall of solid concrete or masonry. An average of four to eight inches between the retaining wall and rock-garden wall to be erected in front of it will provide ample sustenance for the plants. Usually, solid retaining walls are provided with drains to allow for the escape of surplus water from the soil behind them; these help to supply moisture to the soil provided for the plant roots.

The planting of a wall garden should not be overdone. Do not use too many varieties; plant these in groups of several in a place, and leave irregular, large sections of the wall surface exposed, thus providing a natural-looking setting for the plants. An overplanted wall defeats its own purpose.