5 ideas for plants on the stone walls

Think ahead

If you want to create a stone wall with plants, the best moment when you should think about this is while the wall is being built. It allows you to plan out all the little pockets of space, and you can prepare the right amount of space for the roots of your chosen plants. How to achieve that? After laying the first level of stones, add rich growing media and your preferred plants to the available nooks. When that’s done, you can carefully add the next level of stone pieces.

Use the right soil

Of course, in many cases, it is not possible to place any plants in the nooks of the stone wall as it is being built. When you’re buying an older home, you have to work with what you’ve got! But don’t worry - it’s still possible even well after the construction of the wall is finished. First, you should remove the poor soil that would not be an optimal base for growing anything. Replace it with good growing media and add your chosen seeds or even some tiny plants, which will take root well in this environment.

Choose well

So how do you select the best plants for stone walls? The first and most important criterion is the length of the root system each plant develops. You want to reach for those with modest structure. Any plant with long and sturdy roots is a risk to the construction of the stone wall. It won’t be a surprise to learn that among the most suitable plants for stone walls, we will find succulents, alpine plants as well as any species that can grow even in a drought.

Types of plants

Now that we know which ideas for plants on the stone wall will work the best, it’s time for some names, so you know what to look for in a store or at your local florist’s. You can reach for Creeping thyme, Chamomile Lavender, Artemisia, Primrose, Lobelia, Rosemary, Corydalis, Snapdragons, Nepeta catmint, Alyssum, Soapworts, Candytuft or Creeping phlox. It’s not a surprise that a plant named wallflower will be a great choice as well.

Balance is key

Remember not to go overboard with the amount of the plants, though - they will grow quite exponentially and can eventually cover most of the stone. You want to aim for a good balance between hard rock and lively plants and flowers. If you reach that goal, you will be able to enjoy the elegant and timeless look of stone contrasted with delicate and lush greenery.