What Can I Use to Fill a Gap Between a Retaining Wall & the Driveway?

Hedges

• Hedges range in size from tall and narrow to low-growing and full. Choose an upward-growing evergreen hedge that will mature into the size of the gap, and trim it to have a wide base with a narrow top. Most hedges should be trimmed at least twice a season to maintain clean lines, and to prevent branches and thorns from scraping cars. The Korean boxwood, gray dogwood and shrubby St. Johnswort are a few examples of low-growing hedges without thorns.

Low-Growing Flowers

• Plant vibrant, low-growing flowers to bring color and energy to the driveway without creating a lot of maintenance. Flowers provide a visual cue to help drivers avoid parking too close to the wall, snagging clothing or scratching cars. Spring and summer blooms add seasonal contrast to the permanence of a paved driveway and stone or brick retaining wall. Cover the flowers with wood chip mulch to deter weeds and insulate the plants in cold months.

Pebbles

• Decorative pebbles or river rocks offer color and texture, and require almost no maintenance. Dig out topsoil from the gap to prevent the pebbles from sinking, and lay a base layer of gravel so water will be able to easily escape from the driveway. Top off the gravel with a 2-inch layer of decorative rocks of different sizes and colors.

Stones

• Laying medium-sized stones between a driveway and a retaining wall brings out the rugged qualities in a landscape. The irregular shapes and layered colors of stones add visual interest to the flat, straight lines of a driveway and wall. Stones also inhibit weeds while allowing water to drain to the curb so it won’t threaten the foundation of the pavement or wall.