Looking for plant to match specific needs

Cafe Society
1

Not sure if this is the right forum, but seems the closest one.

I’ve got a large dirt wall - I’m building an outdoor stone staircase into a hillside, and the right-hand side of the cut-away is now a large dirt wall.

I’d like to get plants to plant directly into the side of the wall - cutting holes angled slightly downward and stuffing the plant roots in.

A picture of the unfinished staircase is here:

http://www.yearofglad.com/images/firepit.jpg

The area will probably get 4-6 hours of sun in the summer. I live in Portland, OR - USDA Zone 8a/8b.

Here is my wishlist for the plant, in order of importance:

  1. Will grow to cover the wall area (some sort of vine-like plant; am more than willing to plant as many of the mystery plant as needed)

  2. Will grow close to the wall (the further out it grows, the more I have to cut back the wall initially to make sure there’s ample room for the staircase - something that “hugs” the wall would be ideal)

3a) Stays green year round

3b) Flowers seasonally

  1. Fast-growing

Any suggestions on what will meet some/all of my preferences?

Thanks for your help!

2

I think you are looking for ground cover. Vinca, maybe? Ivy?

3

Vinca minor looks like it might work - appears to grow around here, is fast, spreads wide.

Portland Nursery says it can grow 5-10’ wide (which is great) “as the stems root into the ground.” Not sure if the stems will root into a wall on which it’s hanging.

Lots of images on Google Images that seem to indicate that it will, though.

I think that’s probably an excellent choice - I’m still open to more suggestions, though, at least until the weekend which is probably the first time I’ll get around to buying any.

Thanks!

4

How about morning glory? But it might need trellising - I don’t know.

5

Which direction will the wall be facing? From the number of sunshine hours it sounds like east or northeast. In that case, you could always go with the ever-popular Boston ivy, which will give you a brilliant red in the autumn if you get enough sunshine. If you want something with prettier flowers, how about a climbing Rosa Alberic Barbier?

Here in Japan, climbing Hydrangea is popular and easy to take care of as a wall or façade foliage. I’m not sure if that’s available where you are.

6

It’s actually facing south / southwest :slight_smile:

Boston Ivy is ok - they plant it on the freeway walls here in Portland, so it definitely grows. Not a huge fan of the look nor of ivy, though.

the Rosa seems too big for the space, unfortunately.

Climbing Hydrangea and Morning Glory are both pretty good choices.

I feel like I’ve got a few good suggestions - enough to go to the nursery, get their take on the choices, and pick one.

Thanks!

7

That wall is about 2 feet high, right? If so, a low, spreading groundcover planted high up in the wall can trail down (i.e. doesn’t have to be a climber per se)

It looks like you will be planting into the compacted subsoil. Maybe have a poke at it, and see if it is going to be something plant roots can get through. The roots spread out maybe twice as far as the diameter f the plant itself. Also check how wet/dry it is. If the subsoil is heavy, or clay-ey, plants like vinca will not be happy. If it’s gravelly, then vinca, or maybe phlox might work.

8

Pachysandra, maybe? It doesn’t have much of a “flower”, just a short, cream-colored stem of tiny flowers, but the foliage wears like iron, spreads fast but is easy to keep under control, stays green all year. It took me only one season to fill an area about 12 feet wide and five feet long, just by pinching off ends and stuffing them into the soil.

9

At it’s highest it’s maybe 3.5 - 4 feet, I guess. I could plant multiple “rows” of groundcover and let them trail down.

And yes, I’ll be planting into the compacted subsoil, which is quite heavy and clay-ey.

I think I’ll avoid vinca and phlox, then.

10

Perhaps - I’m not particular about the flower, per se - I’d just like a bit of color there. I’ll add it to the list as I head to the nursery this weekend!