The answer to 'why is my retaining wall dying plants' is that the retaining wall may be blocking sunlight, drainage, or access to soil nutrients needed for the plants to thrive. Retaining walls can create a microclimate that is drier, shadier, and less hospitable for plants compared to the surrounding landscape.
Common symptoms include wilting, yellowing, or stunted growth of the plants near the retaining wall. The soil may also appear compacted or have poor drainage. To address this issue, you may need to adjust the placement or design of the retaining wall, improve soil quality, or choose more suitable plants that can tolerate the conditions created by the wall.