Plants to Cover an Ugly Wall

Walls are a part of many gardens. They can be purely ornamental such as creating a raised flower bed or they can be purely functional such as a retaining wall. The walls take on a beaten up appearance after a few year of being exposed to the elements. Instead of painting an old garden wall, use plants to turn them into a rustic garden accent. Plants can be grown in front of the walls or planted on top of the wall and allowed to drape themselves over the top.

Algerian ivy (Hedera canariensis) is also known as Canary Island ivy and North African ivy. The plant is a fast grower and features large leaves growing on red stems. Algerian ivy is salt tolerant and adapts to different types of soil as long as the soil is moist and well drained. Plant in partial to full shade. The plant is hardy in USDA zones 6 to 10 and works well hanging down over the wall.

Clematis (Clematis montana f. grandiflora) is a climbing plant that will scramble up a wall to a height of between 25 to 40 feet. White flowers bloom in May and June. Plant in full sun or partial shade and a soil that is rich, moist and well drained. The plant is hardy in zones 4 to 9.

Chocolate vine (Akebia quinata) climbs to a height of 20 to 40 feet with a spread of 6 to 9 feet. Chocolate-purple colored flowers bloom in March and April. The flowers give way to sausage-shaped, violet colored seed pods up to 4 inches long. Plant in full sun or partial shade and a soil that is moist and well drained. The plant is hardy in zones 4 to 8 and is another fast grower.

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida) is hardy in zones 3 to 9. Let this one droop over the top. It grows to a length of 2 to 3 feet and an equal spread. Flowers with an orange center and yellow petals bloom from June through October. Plant in full sun and a dry to moist, well-drained soil.

It is best to plant where the sun comes in the morning and they are protected from the afternoon sun. Look for plants that grow fast. They may need to be trained to grow over the wall, but once they get the idea they just go wild.