Correcting a Retaining Wall That's 2 Feet Too Short on a 45° Slope

Drainage First, Then Aesthetic Grading and Planting

The Torrance city detail lacks back-of-wall drainage—a critical omission. Install a perforated drain pipe at the base, wrapped in filter fabric, daylighting to an outlet.

Slope Treatment

• Hand-grade the "chopped" transition to a smooth 2:1 slope.
• Add 6–12 inches of topsoil.
• Plant a limited palette (5–6 species) for cohesion: Bird-of-Paradise (Strelitzia) to tie into existing, plus groundcovers (thyme, sedum, rosemary, Hottentot fig) to spill over the wall face.
• Consider painting the wall to match house/deck colors; add a bench or pots to break the linear hardscape.

Resources

• Zone 10 plant guide (HGTV)
• Houzz slope planting gallery
• Wall drainage detail (Rad Construction)

Safety first: drainage. Then beauty: plants and color.