Many commercial and residential buildings in cities do not have much outdoor space, but that does not mean that they cannot benefit from beautiful plants and greenery. They actually have more options than most building owners realise, and one that has been growing in popularity recently is the ‘vertical garden,’ also known as a ‘plant wall’ or ‘green wall.’
Besides looking beautiful, they come with a bunch of benefits including more oxygen, better mental health for people in and around the building, reducing noise inside, deterring graffiti, and protecting the outside of the building.
There are now services that will manage the installation and maintenance of these, but the process does nonetheless still take some planning on the building owners’ part. Here are some tips which will make sure that your green wall project turns out great.
The look
This is the part most people are excited to think about, so it makes a good place to start. However, it is not as simple as picking your favourite plants. You will need to think about whether they are seasonal or evergreen as this will affect how much maintenance needs to be done. Also, when planning your outdoor vertical garden, you need to think about how light or dense it should be if there are people inside the building behind the wall.
The location
Closely related to the aesthetic qualities of the garden is the location. The climate and rainfall will also affect what plants you can include. When it comes to urban gardens, which are generally built over concrete, you may need to think about drainage and irrigation too.
Engineering details:
The wall or structure which will support your garden will only be capable of bearing a certain weight, and lots of plants together can be surprisingly heavy. Be sure to have the maximum weight calculated first, or to choose to build a new structure which can support all the plants you need.
Soil or hydroponics:
Both can be viable options, although soil outside of its usual environment can sometimes lack self-regulatory systems that help it support plants as they grow. Hydroponics tends to be a more practical and popular solution for urban environments.
Maintenance
There is more to supporting a garden than simply watering the plants. Maintenance will also include checking for pest infestations and disease, pruning, and making sure all of the plants are getting enough light and water. It is generally recommended that such inspections be carried out at least every two months.
Lifespan
Even with excellent maintenance, the components of a vertical garden have a finite lifespan. This includes things such as the materials used to construct the frame, which may corrode over time due to the weather and water. Since it is good to start with the end in mind, make sure you consider this when you select the frame materials to make sure you can enjoy your garden for the longest possible time.
Final Thoughts
Most city administrations recognize that green roofs and walls offer many benefits. However, you may still need planning permission or a permit to construct one.
