Boring cliff needs vegetation

[FJ and G]

I've got a really really boring cliff that needs vegitation. I went out with a hammer and chisel and made 4 holes in the concreted rock area for well-drained pockets and put some sedum odom into the pockets. It's still barren but at least there's color. Want to add a bit more vegetation.

[ttrigg]

There is a "hanging thyme", I forget the correct name.  It looks good hanging down the side of a rock formation, not too stringy after it "sets in".  CAUTION:  EXTREAMLY HAZARDOUS to adjacent plant, very invasive.  Best used in confined spaces where with routine trimming it can be contained.

[jzmsvm]

I think the hanging thyme mentioned might be either creeping thyme or elfin thyme. I have both in my garden and althought they look similar, the creeping thyme flowers while the elfin does not. (If I remember correctly.) The creeping thyme is a bit more stringy which would look great hanging over your rocks. I am zone 5 and the nursery I shop at had signs up last weekend saying to plant herbs soon as they need to settle before winter weather so you may want to plant quickly. Especially as they are in rocks and not dirt which has more insulating potential.

Jennifer

[Anonymous]

You might try Scotish or Irish moss or Baby Tears if they will grow in your area.  They all thrive out here in the Bay Area but prefer shade. I have all of my little pockets of vegetation on drip irrigation which helps to control weeds.

[markperr]

Phlox (very colorful in the spring), mosses, and I think? sometype of ground cover juniper?  All would look great along those rocks.  I read somewhere about sour milk or yogurt and beer or some kind of yeasty concoction that will help moss thrive.  I'm not too much of a green thumb in that sense, so it might be best to do a Google search on that.

Mark

[Mike Dorsch CJ&M r.r.]

I use Elfin tyme among others and they hang over and cover many of the rock walls . The grondcovers in this photo to the left of this train were planted in May of this year . The rock face just above the SeaLand container is almost completely covered as I write this. By this coming May I will have to cut some of it back if I want to expose some of the rocks .

[traintrax4]

you should use Summer Glory (i think thats what its called). its an ice plant and is EXTREMELY hardy. it is quite rampant,but will dress up a boring cliff very nicely. it has beautiful, pink, star-shaped flowers. I live in zone 5

[Rene Schweitzer]

Try some hen-and-chicks. They come in many colors (reddish or dark green might look good next to the sedum you planted), are hardy, and inexpensive.

[bman36]

Try some hen-and-chicks. They come in many colors (reddish or dark green might look good next to the sedum you planted), are hardy, and inexpensive.

Hardy they are! Just last weekend my wife threw a whole bunch out. They grow like crazy...anywhere. If you need ground cover quick, these are awesome. On the other hand, too many of them looks bad which is why Naomi tossed so many out. Later eh...Brian.