A dry stone wall in the garden not only visually enhances the outdoor area, but is also an environmentally friendly option for privacy protection. But which plants grow on stones and are suitable for this purpose? We list 15 perennials that you can plant on your wall.
Which ground cover plants, grasses and perennials grow well on stones?
Regardless of whether you want to plant it from above or from below: a wall presents a major challenge. And every wall is different. Free-standing natural stone walls that serve as a boundary to the property or as a privacy screen dry out quickly, heat up quickly and are exposed to the sun more often. Dry stone walls, which are used to fortify slopes, are significantly wetter and are more often in the shade. Luckily, there are rock garden plants for every garden situation. They can thrive in poor soil, withstand heat and rain and are hardy. Below we list several ideas for ground cover, ornamental grasses and low perennials that grow well on stones and at the same time do not have any special requirements.
Planting walls from above: ideas for sunshine
The next rock garden plants do best in full sun and prefer well-drained soil. The nutrient requirements can vary greatly from species to species; some cope well with poor garden soil, others require regular amounts of humus during the flowering period.
Plant the dry stone wall with sun-loving herbs
The mountain stone herbenchants with its bright yellow flowers, which provide food for bees and other pollinators. The cushion perennial has a compact growth and reaches a height of 40 cm.
The common mugwortis a very hardy,strong growing spice plant. The native perennial prefers a location in the sun where it can produce its small yellowish flowers. The flowers themselves are rather inconspicuous, but extremely attractive to bees.
The real chamomileis an annual herbaceous plant that prefers moderately fresh soil with a high sand content. Unlike the other plants on this list, it needs lots of nutrients and humus-rich soil.
The sand thymeis a robust and easy-care aromatic plant that exudes a light scent. The hardy ground cover copes well with poor soil.
The carpet-forming oneRoof houseleekis a true sun worshiper and is therefore perfect for the sunny dry stone wall.
Other sun-loving herbs:
- Lavender
- Lemon thyme
- Common evening primrose
- Soap herbs
- Rosemary
- Caucasian Gänsekrisse
Rock garden plants for sunny and shady areas
The evergreen candytuftenchants with its bright white flowers, which are particularly attractive in the sun. At the same time, the rock garden plant is easy to care for, hardy and evergreen. She also toleratescalcareous waterand copes well with soil that is poor in humus.
The bluebellscores with its low growth and reaches a maximum height of 50 cm. The extremely adaptable flower is the perfect rock garden plant. It will feel comfortable both at the top, in the blazing sun, and in the middle - in partial shade.
The felty hornwortis a cushion-forming perennial that blooms in early summer. The wintergreen ground cover is also attractive after flowering thanks to its late-shaped leaves.
Plant the wall from below: perennials for shade and partial shade
For the columbineThe optimal location turns out to be in the light or in the moving shade of the dry stone wall.
There LerchenspornPrefers a location in partial shade, but can also thrive in the shade without any problems.
The pennywortis a low, carpet-forming and wintergreen perennial that likes a sunny to shady spot.
The wandering phloxexudes a gentle aroma day and night. Its purple, pink or white flowers perfectly brighten up the shady area.
Minzenfeel comfortable in both partial shade and full sun. However, since the dry stone wall heats up quickly, a location in partial shade is best.
That tooCinnamonwort (wallflower)thrives well in the shade and is ideal for planting from below.
Die LobelieIt delights the eye all summer long with its purple flowers. The plant has a dense growth.
Plant a wall: succulent
Succulentsare idealfor planting natural stone walls. Most species are hardy, can easily withstand long periods of drought and have shallow roots and therefore require a small volume of soil.
- Löwenmauler
- Sedum
Planting drywall subsequently: instructions
The right time to plant a dry stone wall is in spring and summer. The process is as follows:
- First the substrate for theMix rock garden plants. Mix washed sand, loamy potting soil and basalt grit in a ratio of 1 to 1 to 1. Then fill the substrate into the joints.
- Remove the plants from the transport pots, divide the root balls if necessary and insert them into the joints. Arrange as desired and cover with substrate.
- Water the plants carefully. Always check whether substrate still needs to be refilled.
- Heavy rain can wash away the substrate, so you should check regularly to see if you still need to fill the joints with soil.
