Tiered Retaining Wall Ideas

Wall Materials

• The material you choose for your retaining wall is a choice that depends entirely on your aesthetic preferences. Choose landscape timbers or natural stone if you want a more natural look that blends with the other natural features in the landscape. Concrete blocks, which are available in a variety of finishes, are relatively inexpensive and provide a more structured look to the landscape. Stack stones are easy for homeowners to install because they come with tongues and grooves that lock together when stacked. An optional material is mortar; if the stones or timbers are stacked neatly and with overlapping joints, gravity and the friction between stones prevents them from toppling.

Flowing Planters

• Plant cascading flowers and vines at the front of each terrace to create flow from one level of the terrace to the one below. Creeping phlox, basket of gold and trailing petunia provide small punches of color to liven up the wall. Coleus is available in a wide range of colors, including light green, dark green, deep purple, magenta, pink and white; there are cultivars that thrive in sun, shade and partial shade. For year-round color, choose evergreen plants such as Wintercreeper or creeping juniper. Depending on the depth of the terraces, you may have enough room to plant a few rows of your favorite flowers, too.

Vegetable Garden

• Use your tiered retaining wall to plant your vegetable garden, an idea that is well suited for optimizing space in small yards. Dedicate a tier for a single type of vegetable or separate each tier with stairs, timbers or stones to create additional planting beds. After installing the tiered retaining wall, watch the sun's position throughout the day before deciding where to plant each vegetable. Plant tall plants, such as corn, in an area where they won't block the sun from smaller plants. Instead of erecting a trellis, allow pole beans to cascade down the wall, or train them to grow up the wall.

Ornament Collections

• If you have a vast collection of landscape ornaments, display them proudly on the tiers of your retaining wall. The ascending levels ensure that none of your pieces get lost behind another taller treasure. Display the pieces among flowers on the tiers, or you can grow grass or lay a gravel base to display the pieces individually. Put birdbaths on a lower level so that the wall provides a backdrop against which to view bathing birds. If you have religious statuary, create a themed tier or dedicate the entire wall to a religious display. Garden gnomes add charm to the front edges of the tiers and also work well displayed among flowers and water features on the tiers.