Ideas for Landscaping in Front of Block Walls

Espaliers

• Popular for centuries, espaliering is the process of training a plant to grow flat against the wall behind it. While you can use a wooden trellis, wires stretched horizontally across the wall are the most common espalier supports. Many shrubs and trees lend themselves to espaliering, especially fruit trees and shrubs like flowering quince (Chaenomeles) and hibiscus. Vines like ivy (Hedera) and coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) are good choices, too. Creating an espalier is time-consuming since the plants need frequent grooming, but they make your block wall into an integral feature of the landscape.

Shrubs and Trees

• Hide a block wall completely by planting trees and shrubs in front of it. For a formal appearance, plant an evergreen hedge in front of the wall and trim it to the same height as the wall. In front of the hedge, at regular intervals, plant small- or medium-sized flowering trees, such as crape myrtles (Lagerstromia) or dogwoods (Cornus). Create an informal screen by planting a mixed shrub border with both evergreen and deciduous shrubs planted in groups of three or five, punctuated by small trees like cherries (Prunus) or small maples (Acer). Vary shrub height for the most visual interest. Even if the block wall is not completely covered, the shrub border becomes the focus.

Flower Borders

• It's common in Europe, especially England, to use walls as the backdrop for perennial borders. The depth of the border should be proportional to the height of the wall. Don't plant a narrow 3-foot border in front of an 8-foot wall, but don't install a 6-foot-wide border in front of a 2-foot wall, either. Plant the perennials in large drifts, especially if the bed is some distance from the house, and choose plants of varying heights. For large borders, include evergreen shrubs and small trees at regular intervals to give the landscape both structure and winter interest.

Containers

• For block walls with little space between the wall and a walkway, or for walls that are part of very modern-looking landscapes, consider installing gravel in front of the wall and then placing large containers on the gravel. As with in-ground plantings, regular spacing creates a more formal appearance than loose, irregular groupings. You can use dwarf conifers, mixed plantings or trailing plants such as ivy or small succulents, depending on the effect you want to create.

Cultural Considerations

• When installing plants in front of a wall, always leave a 2- to 3-foot space between the plants and the wall so that you can easily maintain both the wall and plants. Also check the soil pH before choosing plants; it's quite common for the soil near masonry walls to become alkaline from the minerals that leach out of the blocks. You may need to amend the soil before planting.