Adding an Elkhorn, NE Retaining Wall? Make It Look Special with Curated Plantings
When considering the addition of a retaining wall in Elkhorn, NE, functionality is often the primary focus. However, beyond its foundational purposes, a retaining wall offers an unparalleled opportunity for beauty and aesthetic refinement. By integrating curated plantings, you can turn a simple structural addition into an exquisite landscape feature. Here's how.
Related: Enjoy an Outdoor Space Full of Colorful Plantings in the Huntington Park, NE and Glenwood, IA Areas
Understanding the Role of Retaining Walls in Landscaping
Retaining walls serve as vital tools in landscape design and construction, primarily used to hold back soil from a building or structure. They combat erosion and provide a definitive shape to your property, especially in sloping terrains. But why stop at mere functionality? By carefully choosing and placing plantings around and on your retaining wall, you can amplify its beauty.
Selecting the Right Plantings for Your Wall
Groundcovers for Texture and Coverage: Groundcovers are essential plantings that offer both aesthetic and functional benefits. They can spread across the wall's base, forming a lush carpet that not only adds beauty but also helps in preventing soil erosion. Examples include creeping Jenny, sedum, or ajuga.
Perennials for Color and Longevity: Perennials come back year after year, ensuring your retaining wall remains vibrant across seasons. Opt for varieties that are drought-tolerant and can thrive in the conditions near the wall. Daylilies, lavender, or coreopsis are excellent choices.
Shrubs for Structure and Volume: Including shrubs can give your retaining wall a sense of solidity and depth. Dwarf varieties or those that are easily pruned to maintain size are ideal. Boxwood, dwarf nandina, or spirea can be considered.
Strategically Place Your Plantings
Simply having plantings isn’t enough; placement matters.
Top of the Wall: At the top edge, consider adding trailing plantings. They cascade down, softening the wall's appearance and providing a waterfall effect. Plantings like creeping rosemary or trailing lantana are apt for this purpose.
Base of the Wall: This is where you can play with taller plantings that provide an upward movement to the eye. Consider using ornamental grasses or taller perennial flowers.
In-wall Niches: Some retaining walls, especially those built with natural stone or interlocking blocks, may have niches or pockets. These can be ideal spots for succulents or other small planting.
Consider the Wall's Material and Conditions
Different wall materials can impact the type of plantings you select and how they'll grow. For instance, a natural stone wall might retain heat, making it more suitable for plantings that thrive in warmer conditions. Additionally, understand the sun and water exposure the wall gets. This will determine whether you opt for sun-loving or shade-loving plantings and if they need to be drought-tolerant.
Integrating Outdoor Lighting for Nighttime Beauty
A planting-adorned retaining wall is already a sight to behold during daylight hours, but with the addition of strategic lighting, its beauty can be showcased even after sunset.
Spotlights for Emphasis: If there are particular plantings or sections of your retaining wall that stand out due to their unique colors or textures, consider using spotlights. These focused beams of light can draw attention to specific features, making them the stars of your nighttime landscape.
Ambient Lighting for a Soft Glow: Fixtures that provide a gentle, diffuse light can create a calm and inviting atmosphere. They illuminate the wall and its plantings without overwhelming the eyes. Consider LED lights, which are both energy-efficient and gentle.
Downlights for Drama: Mounted at the top of your retaining wall, downlights can mimic the effect of moonlight casting its glow on your plantings. This kind of lighting can create intriguing shadows and depth, adding a touch of drama to your nighttime landscape.
About the Author
Since 2008, we have shared our passion for the great outdoors by creating award-winning landscapes that inspire our customers to spend more time outside. As a first-generation company, we’ve persevered through entrepreneurial challenges, put our strong Midwestern work ethic to good use, and got our hands and boots dirty to become what we are today—a successful business with four locations spanning across Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and Tennessee.
