A living wall garden is a decorative feature that combines the functionality of outdoor living with the beauty and subtle design of a wall. Living walls can also be utilized to make a quiet, relaxing area, separate areas inside a large open space, or as an aesthetic accent. They can be designed in all sizes and shapes, attached to the ceiling or the wall, and made of various materials including stone, ceramic, wood, and natural stone. Living wall gardens have a wide range of applications in both residential and commercial designs.
Design Basics
To begin, let’s take a look at living wall gardens designed for both indoor and outdoor use. Many living wall gardens are designed with a trellis system that allows for the hanging of small plants that are used primarily for visual appeal. However, some living wall gardens are designed with the concept of growing plants on the living wall itself, using moss that is added to the surfaces of the pots and containers that are used to support the growth of the plants. The trellis system may be chosen based upon the desired colour scheme, texture, height, maintenance, and placement within the garden.
In vertical systems, several landscape planning considerations need to be addressed for the best results. Space should be considered both in terms of where the plants will be positioned vertically, as well as where they will be grown horizontally. For example, planting taller grasses and flowers will require more vertical space than planting smaller varieties. As with the placement of furniture around your living wall garden, the heights of the plants should be considered about other elements in the garden.
Additional Considerations
The amount of lighting needed should also be considered when choosing which plants will be placed on living walls. Different light sources may be used, including natural light provided from windows or artificial lighting fixtures that are installed purposefully. Plants that will require the most lighting for successful growth will be those that have deeper greens and darker colours. If the design of your living wall garden includes a combination of different lighting sources, a specialist in this area of landscaping design can provide you with the advice and information needed to make an informed decision regarding the appropriate plants for each area of your building space.
Water features are an additional option to consider when designing vertical gardens. There are many variations available, including fountains, waterfalls and splash pads that can all be easily moved to different areas if needed. Water features should be located where there will be easy access for cleaning and maintenance. Proper drainage will ensure that no standing water remains on the living wall garden walls or drips onto an office floor.
Taking Care of Your Living Wall Garden
Another thing to keep in mind is the amount of care that is required to maintain the garden area. Indoor gardens can become very messy due to their live materials and the maintenance of watering and fertilising. Some pests may also find their way indoors to your new plants. Having mentioned this, it is very easy to use insecticides and repellents to prevent this issue.
