Vines – Going Down Your Wall

Q: We recently bought a house with two huge brick retaining walls on either side of the pool deck. Each one is twelve feet high and fifty feet long. Is there a vine that will trail down the walls?

A: There are several good choices! Consider Carolina jessamine, Confederate jasmine, or American wisteria. Loosen the soil in the planting spot and add organic matter if it is heavy clay. Install the plants and watch for new growth. The vines will naturally want to grow up rather than down so gently tie a small stone to the tip of lengthening tendrils to help them cascade over the walls.