How to Trail Perennial Flowers
Get the dramatic permanent effect of trailing flowers for slopes, walls and garden beds and containers by starting with the right plants. You’re looking for flowering plants with a natural downward growth habit. Good choices include creeping baby’s breath, cinquefoil, soapwort, snow-in-summer, Carpathian bellflower, trailing twinspur, maiden’s blush fuchsia, ground morning glory, evergreen candytuft and creeping rosemary. Decide whether you want evergreen or deciduous vegetation, and ask at local nurseries for more suggestions about what does well in your climate. Add trailing vegetation such as creeping thyme for extra drama. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Locate ideal planting spots, and estimate how many plants you’ll need. Plant trailing perennials just behind the top of retaining walls and around the rim of large containers. Unlike plants such as Virginia creeper and English ivy, which will happily grow up a wall or embankment, trailing plants will only grown downward. Plant at various levels for large slopes, to speed up the process of covering the entire area.
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Cultivate the soil and dig planting holes early in spring when soil can be worked. Plant your trailing plants, fill planting holes with soil and gently firm soil level with the ground. Add mulch to conserve water and prevent soil erosion.
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Water regularly—every few days—until roots are well established. Use soaker hoses along the tops of retaining walls or on hillsides to keep plants well watered until they are established.
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Divide trailing perennials with rapidly spreading roots every few years, and plant their offspring to speed up the process of covering a slope or hillside.
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Tips & Warnings
Plants grown in containers have relatively little soil to support substantial quantities of thirsty roots, so water well and often.
Many trailing perennials do well in rock gardens, and require very little water once established. Check with nursery staff or Master Gardeners for information about drought tolerant plants.
