Top 10+ cascading plants that will spill beautifully over retaining walls

Turn a functional wall into a waterfall of blooms.

Creeping Phlox, Candytuft, Trailing Lobelia, Creeping Jenny, Purple Rock Cress, Dichondra Silver Falls, Creeping Thyme, Vinca Vine, New Dawn Rose, Lemon Coral Sedum

Does your garden need a retaining wall? There's no need to resign yourself to having a large stone or concrete eyesore in your yard. Instead, use it as an opportunity to create a waterfall of blooms or a flowing trail of foliage. With a thoughtfully curated lineup of plants, you can take advantage of the natural growth patterns of cascading plants and channel a soft, romantic garden aesthetic.

Whether you want vibrant blooms to tumble overboard in the spring or you're looking for a stream of green that will maintain its color all summer long, here are the ten best cascading plants for your retaining wall.

01 of 10

Creeping Phlox

Creeping Phlox, Candytuft, Trailing Lobelia, Creeping Jenny, Purple Rock Cress, Dichondra Silver Falls, Creeping Thyme, Vinca Vine, New Dawn Rose, Lemon Coral Sedum
  • Botanical Name: Phlox stolonifera
  • Sun Exposure: Full, partial
  • Soil Type: Loamy, well-drained
  • Soil pH: Acidic, neutral, alkaline
  • USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: 5-9

With its signature pink and purple flowers appearing in March and early April, creeping phlox is one of the first harbingers of spring. Its delicate, cheerful blooms tumble over walls and sidewalks alike, filling them with tiny blossoms. Phlox will spread quickly, which is perfect if you want to cover an area in short order but, keep an eye on it, or it can quickly take over a garden.

02 of 10

Candytuft

Creeping Phlox, Candytuft, Trailing Lobelia, Creeping Jenny, Purple Rock Cress, Dichondra Silver Falls, Creeping Thyme, Vinca Vine, New Dawn Rose, Lemon Coral Sedum
  • Botanical Name: Iberis sempervirens
  • Sun Exposure: Full, partial
  • Soil Type: Well-drained
  • Soil pH: Acidic, neutral, alkaline
  • USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: 3-9

The perky white flowers of candytuft make it easy to see how it got its name. These perennial blooms have abundant clusters of tiny white petals, and they'll bloom from late spring into summer, producing flowers until the summer sun gets too hot. Candytuft is low-lying and will spread over time, but it is generally slow to make its way through the garden.

03 of 10

Trailing Lobelia

Creeping Phlox, Candytuft, Trailing Lobelia, Creeping Jenny, Purple Rock Cress, Dichondra Silver Falls, Creeping Thyme, Vinca Vine, New Dawn Rose, Lemon Coral Sedum
  • Botanical Name: Lobelia erinus
  • Sun Exposure: Full, partial
  • Soil Type: Moist, well-drained
  • Soil pH: Acidic, neutral
  • USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: 10-11

If you want maximum blooms, trailing lobelia will have you covered all summer long with its darling blue flowers. Because of its color, it's a favorite of pollinators, including butterflies, and its trailing pattern will tumble delicately over walls without taking over your garden.

04 of 10

Creeping Jenny

Creeping Phlox, Candytuft, Trailing Lobelia, Creeping Jenny, Purple Rock Cress, Dichondra Silver Falls, Creeping Thyme, Vinca Vine, New Dawn Rose, Lemon Coral Sedum
  • Botanical Name: Lysimachia nummularia
  • Sun Exposure: Full, partial
  • Soil Type: Well-draining sandy, loamy, or clay
  • Soil pH: Acidic, alkaline, neutral
  • USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: 4-9

Creeping jenny will quickly cover your retaining wall—and perhaps your entire garden—with its chartreuse, coin-shaped leaves (hence the nickname moneywort!). This perennial creeps along the ground, rapidly taking over a garden, which, if you're in the market for a "spiller," is exactly what you want. It'll bloom briefly in the summer, producing small yellow blooms.

05 of 10

Purple Rock Cress

Creeping Phlox, Candytuft, Trailing Lobelia, Creeping Jenny, Purple Rock Cress, Dichondra Silver Falls, Creeping Thyme, Vinca Vine, New Dawn Rose, Lemon Coral Sedum
  • Botanical Name: Aubrieta deltoidea
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Type: Well-drained
  • Soil pH: Neutral
  • USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: 4-7

When you have a retaining wall in a region that is prone to drought, purple rock cress is the cascading plant that should be at the top of your list. Just like its name would indicate, this low-growing plant thrives in areas where it's grown along the edges of rocks and stone. Its vibrant purple blooms will appear from April to June, giving you a pop of color in the garden.

06 of 10

Dichondra Silver Falls

Creeping Phlox, Candytuft, Trailing Lobelia, Creeping Jenny, Purple Rock Cress, Dichondra Silver Falls, Creeping Thyme, Vinca Vine, New Dawn Rose, Lemon Coral Sedum
  • Botanical Name: Dichondra argentea
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Type: Well-draining sandy loam
  • Soil pH: Slightly to moderately acidic
  • USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: 10-12

While dichondra silver falls is a desert plant in its native environment, it's grown as a striking annual across the South. The silver-green leaves will cascade over a wall, creating a soft, ethereal look. It has small white flowers that may appear during the summer, but it's lovely as an accent to bolder trailing blooms, like creeping thyme.

07 of 10

Creeping Thyme

Creeping Phlox, Candytuft, Trailing Lobelia, Creeping Jenny, Purple Rock Cress, Dichondra Silver Falls, Creeping Thyme, Vinca Vine, New Dawn Rose, Lemon Coral Sedum
  • Botanical Name: Thymus spp.
  • Sun Exposure: Full
  • Soil Type: Well-drained, sandy
  • Soil pH: Neutral, alkaline
  • USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: 2-9

Creeping thyme isn't exactly the thyme that you use in the kitchen, but it could be cooked with if you so desired (but wouldn't you rather look at its charming blooms?). Luckily, in addition to its pink and purple flowers, it also has a savory fragrance that will remind you of cooking delicious meals. This low-maintenance groundcover spreads easily, covering everything from garden borders to retaining wall edges.

08 of 10

Vinca Vine

Creeping Phlox, Candytuft, Trailing Lobelia, Creeping Jenny, Purple Rock Cress, Dichondra Silver Falls, Creeping Thyme, Vinca Vine, New Dawn Rose, Lemon Coral Sedum
  • Botanical Name: Vinca Major 'Variegata'
  • Sun Exposure: Full, partial
  • Soil Type: Moist, well-drained, rich, loamy
  • Soil pH: Acidic
  • USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: 7-9

Many people have a love-hate relationship with vinca vine. The light and dark green colors of this vine are striking in the garden, and it spreads quickly, covering a retaining wall with little effort. But spreading quickly can also mean finding it in areas where you didn't intend for it to take root. The perennial vinca vine also has sweet periwinkle blooms that soften its invasive reputation.

09 of 10

New Dawn Rose

Creeping Phlox, Candytuft, Trailing Lobelia, Creeping Jenny, Purple Rock Cress, Dichondra Silver Falls, Creeping Thyme, Vinca Vine, New Dawn Rose, Lemon Coral Sedum
  • Botanical Name: Rosa 'New Dawn'
  • Sun Exposure: Full, partial
  • Soil Type: Moist, well-drained
  • Soil pH: Slightly acidic
  • USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: 5-9

A waterfall of climbing roses is one of the most romantic garden sights. It's reminiscent of quaint cottages and secret gardens. And the new dawn rose is exactly what you should look for if you want that cascade of blooms to tumble from your retaining wall. You'll have years of gorgeous light pink blooms gracing your garden year-after-year.

10 of 10

Lemon Coral Sedum

Creeping Phlox, Candytuft, Trailing Lobelia, Creeping Jenny, Purple Rock Cress, Dichondra Silver Falls, Creeping Thyme, Vinca Vine, New Dawn Rose, Lemon Coral Sedum
  • Botanical Name: Sedum mexicanum 'Lemon Coral'
  • Sun Exposure: Full, partial
  • Soil Type: Well-drained, sandy, rocky
  • Soil pH: Slightly acidic, neutral
  • USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: 7-11

The bright chartreuse hue of lemon coral sedum makes a statement in the garden, and it'll easily form a hanging carpet off any retaining wall. It easily roots, so watch any pieces that may drop off or you could end up with a secondary bed of sedum just below.

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