Softening tall or craggy surfaces are conditions that seldom come up in my design apply, as I work in environments which can be sometimes reasonably flat. There are occasions, nevertheless, when degree modifications occur to happen on the land or are created throughout a development course of. I get excited when there may be the chance to make use of vegetation that naturally cascade. That is a completely completely different aesthetic from vegetation that climb and is extra fascinating than plugging in some ivy. The following time you end up needing a plant to spill over a wall, rock, or another elevation change, think about one in every of these nice cascading vegetation.

‘Autumn Amber’ three-leaf sumac is a tricky, low-growing spreader for bigger landscapes

Sumacs (Rhus spp. and cvs., Zones 2–10) are a various group of vegetation ranging in measurement from small tree varieties to low shrubs. ‘Autumn Amber’ three-leaf sumac (Rhus trilobata ‘Autumn Amber’, Zones 4–6) is a particularly quick and vast spreading shrub with an orange to amber fall shade. The matlike progress creates a curtain of foliage spilling over and protecting any floor they’re planted on. Exceptionally robust, it’s a selection plant to cascade over a stone outcropping, teams of boulders, or perhaps a formal brick wall. Rising in rugged spots, this plant does greatest in well-drained soil and full solar. Give it loads of room; regardless of specs of rising 1 to 2 ft tall and 5 to 7 ft vast, my expertise is that its vitality is put into rising wider and never as tall. If you wish to management the scale, minimize vegetation again within the spring previous to new progress showing. ‘Autumn Amber’ doesn’t typically have any illness or insect issues and doesn’t undergo from grazing by rabbits or deer.

Rockspray cotoneaster has an awesome prostrate type with three seasons of curiosity

For a tremendous and lacy texture towards a strong floor, let’s not overlook about cotoneasters (Cotoneaster spp. and cvs, Zones 4–9). One other shrub group of varied varieties, rockspray cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis and cvs., Zones 5–7) has a prostrate rising behavior with stiff branches and small, shiny, darkish inexperienced leaves. Its scarlet crimson fruit is enticing to birds, even when it isn’t closely current. Rising 2 to three ft tall with branches cascading to a width of 6 to eight ft vast, this shrub will reward you with aromatic pink spring flowers and reddish-purple fall shade. For the most effective efficiency, plant cotoneaster in full solar to partial shade and in soil that’s effectively drained, moist, and loamy. This plant will tolerate lower than excellent situations; if in case you have dry or poor soil, it would nonetheless be just right for you. Take away deadwood as obligatory, pruning to form, and renovate earlier than new progress seems within the spring. For a really low and prostrate possibility, think about the range Cotoneaster horizontalis var. perpusillus, which grows to only one foot tall and 5 to eight ft vast.

‘Scentsation’ honeysuckle supplies an extended season of aromatic blooms

Technically a vine, ‘Scentsation’ honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum ‘Scentsation’, Zones 4–9) will also be grown as a cascading plant as an alternative of a climber. Exceptionally aromatic, this yellow-flowering selection has an intensive season of beneficiant bloom, from midspring to early fall, adopted by vivid crimson berries. It’s not invasive, is cherished by hummingbirds and butterflies, and isn’t favored by deer. This honeysuckle does greatest in full solar and areas with ample airflow to cut back the chance for powdery mildew (a illness triggered by excessive humidity and poor air circulation). Further care could be taken to forestall powdery mildew by selectively pruning to maintain the plant from turning into too dense and by eradicating diseased leaves. Count on ‘Scentsation’ to rapidly cascade with a 5- to 6-foot unfold with vines as much as 12 ft lengthy over any vertical floor.

Whereas every of those cascading vegetation has the power to cowl an object of considerable peak, one doesn’t need to let any of them attain their full potential. Every of those distinctly completely different woody vegetation could be thinned or shortened to fulfill the wants of your house or the actual design intent you take into consideration. Eradicating a department right here or a tendril there can create a lacy impact to permit the floor behind to peek by, leading to a fascinating distinction of natural and man-made supplies. Trimming the underside ideas in a singular line, as if they’re bangs, creates the look of an upside-down hedge. The choices are infinite. Let your creativeness roam as you think about the choices when enjoying with cascading vegetation.

—Marti Neely, FAPLD, owns and operates Marti Neely Design and Associates in Omaha, Nebraska.

Photographs: Marti Neely, FAPLD