Perennial Plants for a Shallow Retaining Wall in Philadelphia: Phlox, Clematis, Honeysuckle

Planting Window

You can plant until Thanksgiving if weather holds. Plants heading into dormancy transplant well in autumn; they'll look rough but bounce back in spring.

Recommendations for 1-ft Soil Depth

• Phlox subulata (creeping phlox) – compact, trails slightly, spring bloom, fragrant. See colors at Bluestone Perennials.
• Sweet Autumn Clematis (C. paniculata) – vigorous, covers wall, late summer bloom, fragrant, tolerates semishade.
• Honeysuckle (Lonicera halliana) – intense 2-week fragrance, easy to control, semishade tolerant.

Sun Exposure Note

Other clematis need more sun. If your wall gets full sun, consider sun-loving clematis for vivid, long-lasting color.