Versatility of Living Wall Planters

Living wall planters are becoming more and more popular as our living space becomes more restricted.  Living walls are seen as a green method of providing interest in an outdoor area and also as a way of maximizing greenery in tight urban spaces.  An important trend for homeowners and city dwellers is to create better and more efficient outdoor space.  By creating a beautiful outdoor green wall, residents are able to make the best use of limited space as well as bringing the beauty of plants and flowers to a vertical space to enhance a living area.

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon is actually the first known living wall.  It was one of the original 7 Wonders of the World and was built in 600 BC.  It is still alive today and uses an advanced method of irrigation that is still in use today.  Credit is given to Stanley Hart White, a professor of landscape architecture at the University of Illinois, who first patented the green wall in 1938.

There are a variety of things to consider when choosing a location for a living wall.  Appropriate plant selection is also imperative when designing your living wall planter.  Tried and true varieties are critical when putting together your living wall.  By trying out different varieties and species, Pamela Crawford has organized a list of plants and flowers that work especially well in living walls.

Location is also key when deciding where to place your living wall.  The amount of light that the wall will receive, as well as placement for maximum enjoyment are important.  When placing the living wall outdoors, it is especially nice if you can place it in a location that can be viewed from both indoors and outdoors.  Imagine how much easier your kitchen chores will be if you can glimpse a beautiful living wall as you go about your work!  Living wall planters can be attached to a variety of surfaces, such as concrete, masonry, wood, metal, and even railings and fences.

It is paramount to be sure that your living wall planter is appropriately supported; keep in mind that you will be adding a lot of weight when the dirt is added. Don’t hammer one nail in or put one sticky hook up and expect your living wall to stay vertical!

One of the plusses to vertical gardening is weed control. You will not have many invading weeds when using vertical gardening practices; this then limits the need for maintenance. This is a huge advantage for those who have busy schedules but would love to grow some striking green plants or flowers.

 Easy maintenance is important for your living wall.  Using plants that are already developed to mature size makes a big difference in how quickly your living wall will actually be aesthetically pleasing.  Using full size plants also helps to create a wall that will withstand harsher climate and temperature changes, as well as look like a “finished product” much sooner.

Living walls and other plantings have the potential to increase residential and commercial property values by between 7% and 15%.  Living walls also help to create a positive perception for possible buyers of the property.

The use of green walls can be either enormous, as when used in entire city wall buildings, or they can be very small, as when used in the backyard as an aesthetic eye-catcher.  Living wall planters can be purchased at many garden stores and online sites.  One of the most popular and successful is the planter designed by Pamela Crawford, available through Kinsman Garden.  The planters use coco liners that have small holes and slits cut into them.  This makes the planting process much easier and also provides for successful plants, since they are already developed and are proven, thriving plants.