How to Plant a Vertical Garden
Outdoor walls have many uses, whether you are marking a boundary line or holding back a slope. But regardless of its purpose, the face and top of a dry stone wall are perfect homes for trailing and climbing perennial plants. A vertical garden is easy to plant and adds country charm and character to any stone wall. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Soil
- Sphagnum moss
- Chop stick
- Large flat stones
- Spray bottle
- Perennial seeds and plants
- Plant fertilizer
Instructions
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1
Build a dry or motarless stone wall using flat stones for the body. Set each stone so that it covers the space between two stones below it. Be sure to fit the stones together leaving small gaps or pockets for planting.
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2
Choose perennial plants that are suitable to your climate and cascade down the side of the wall. Sweet peas and creeping phlox are two good examples of ideal vertical garden plants. There are also many varieties of ivy that are good climbers.
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3
Enclose a seed inside a small ball of moist soil and pack it into a crevice between stones. Add more soil if possible not only to aid in root development but also to help hold the seed in place.
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4
Find a gap in the wall large enough to hold a small plant. Add a little soil to the hole and use a chopstick to tuck the plant roots, dividing them, if needed, to fit.
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5
Fill the space around the plant with soil and sphagnum moss and pack it very tightly.
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6
Spritz with water regularly and keep it moist until the seed germinates and the plant roots become established. Spray the water gently to moisten the soil so that you don't disturb the fragile seedlings.
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Fertilize the plants using a spray bottle once they are established. Follow directions regarding strength of the mixture and timing just as you would in a traditional flower garden.
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Tips & Warnings
If working with an existing stone wall, locate a pocket and scrape out the existing dirt. Then fill with either your seed ball or enough fresh soil to support the new plant.
