Archive for the ‘Plants’ Category

The ivy is particularly well suited to the greening of facades. The plant is a strong climber, however this plant does not damage the walls, although it can damage the paint when its roots leave traces.

A green wall all year round

Ivy is suitable for outdoor green walls as it is resistant to harsh weather conditions (flood, frost, drought …). It stays green all year, allowing it to continue to absorb carbon during the winter when most plants have lost their leaves.

The pollination period of ivy is in late summer. The fruits of ivy appear very early in the year (March), and are a wanted food for fruit-eating birds.

In addition Ivy has an aesthetic value, need for your outdoor green wall. Other species commonly used are the Virginia creeper, honeysuckle, wisteria.

Maintenance green wall plants

The maintenance of facades can not be at all times of the year to meet the rhythms of wildlife and flora who have found refuge. Avoid nesting periods or periods of cold winters during which the vegetation provides shelter for many animals.

To facilitate vegetation and maintain natural processes, retain islands of vegetation (moss, ferns) in the maintenance of facades.

The developer must take into account the problems that can appear when installing a green wall in our outside the building:

Moisture
Be cautious with moisture, such as humidity penetrating the wall of your home. It may damage paint work. Also be aware of any possible short circuits in case you have artificial lighting installed and / or a water pump.

Weight
The increasing weight of your green wall is also something to consider. Is your construction strong enough to support the weight of the vertical garden?

To avoid any of these problems and to keep your green wall in good shape, maintenance and regular checks are needed.

When using exotic plants for your vertical garden, avoid importing unwanted organisms or pathogens, it is recommended to work with specialist growers who can recommend you on the origin of the plants used and can offer your advise concerning legality of the plants used.

One of my favorite things to do in the weekend is to visit a plant and flower market. In my city Shanghai. There are several large markets like this and they sell many plants that are suitable for vertical gardening.

Me plant shopping for my green wall

These are mainly indoor plants, as only few people in Shanghai have a garden. The lack of a garden was by the way one of my reasons  to build a vertical garden. You can imagine that my apartment looks green from the inside!

The past years I tried many different plants. Not all plants are suitable for vertical gardening..

However there are plenty of suitable plants available for your vertical garden or green wall. When you’re building a vertical garden for inside your home, you can choose from a selection of Ivies, Flowering plants, Exotic plants, Vegetables and even Fruits!

Emeline