Cascading Gardens
Take your garden to the next level with gorgeous plants that soften the hard edges as they cascade over vertical surfaces. Beautify any retaining wall or rock garden with plants that scramble playfully over the edge. Brighten any tight space with vibrantly colored plants that tumble over the edges of pots, window boxes and tubs. Set your sights high with hanging baskets that are fun to fill, easy to rearrange, and provide airy privacy on patios and porches.
Grevillea juniperina 'Molonglo'
This juniper-leaf grevillea drips with showy golden apricot blooms like honey pouring over walls, containers, or embankments. 'Molongolo' is a fast growing, cold hardy, drought tolerant, dense, evergreen groundcover that can spread 6-15 feet wide. Can be cut back for compact growth in restrained places however, pruning after July will interrupt the formation of winter flowers. The deep green needle-like leaves resemble juniper. Attractive to nectar loving birds, bees, and butterflies.
Russelia equisetiformis
Why settle for fireworks in July when you can enjoy them in the garden all summer long? The slender stems of the Coral Fountain start out erect and then quickly bend over into a graceful mound of long, showy cascades. Clusters of bright red tubular flowers resembling small firecrackers provide bursts of color from spring through fall. Flowering is best in full sun. Coral Fountain gushes over the edges of large pots or walls and entices butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden.
Acacia cognata 'Cousin Itt' ('Mini Cog')
The cool emerald green leaves of this small mounding form flows over the edges of walls, containers, or embankments spreading 4-6' wide. Only 2-3' high, 'Cousin Itt' grows well in most well-drained soils in full sun or partial shade. Water regularly when initially planted but once established it will require only occasional irrigation in coastal gardens.
Sedum morganianum
Burro Tail or Donkey Tail has heavy, pendulous stems covered with plump leaves to 3 feet long or more. The fragile bluish-green leaves resemble thick braided ropes. These long tails pour over the edge of a wall or any container. Use in a vertical garden or drape from hanging pots for a privacy curtain on a patio or balcony.
Pelargonium peltatum 'Mixed Colors Single Flower'
There are many reasons to love the ubiquitous Ivy Geranium. This cascading beauty is adaptable, colorful, and can be used in a wide range of settings: in the garden, on the patio or balcony, or to brighten up a wall or fence. Trailing stems of bright green ivy-shaped foliage drip with clusters of single flowers in a range of colors: pink, rose, lavender, red, and white.
Sutera cordata 'White'
From spring to autumn, the long cascading stems of White Bacopa are literally smothered in star-shaped blossoms. Hundreds of small white flowers cover this vigorous grower all season. The aromatic leaves of this tender perennial are shaped like dark green hearts. Keep evenly watered to maintain continuous bloom. A bit of afternoon shade is also appreciated. Use in hanging baskets, window boxes, or retaining walls where the spreading stems overflow creating a floral waterfall.
Rosmarinus officinalis 'Prostratus'
Trailing Rosemary looks great, smells wonderful and makes a tasty dish. This Mediterranean favorite spills merrily over walls and happily embraces rock gardens. The bright-green needle-like foliage is quite lush and aromatic for such a waterwise plant. Couple that with a carpet of small lavender-blue flowers from fall through spring and you have a winner. 'Lockwood de Forest' and 'Huntington Carpet' are great varieties that grow less than 2 ft. and spread 6'-8' wide.