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Green walls

Last post 11-09-2008 12:33 AM by tipps. 14 replies.

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  • 27/08/2008 04:48 PM
    • rooibosT42
    • Market Lavington
    • 27 Aug 2008
    • 21
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    Hi, does anyone have experience of planting green walls specifically for their insulation, pollution-busting, wildlife, or other properties - either as a designer/landscaper commercial work or for yourself?

    I just want to get an idea of what's out there really - I'm doing a post-grad project on it.

     Thanks anyone!

     

  • 27/08/2008 05:26 PM
    • Susiq
    • Northumberland
    • 16 Feb 2008
    • 3,125
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    Hi, we looked at putting in a 'willow fence' as we wanted a natural 'wall' to provide a screen. However, even though it looks great in the summer when in full leaf, it dies back in winter and any chance of screening off what you want to hide behind said wall, dies with the leaves! There is a wonderful example of a 'willow fence' on the A1 opposite the Purdy Lodge garage in Northumberland which is where we first saw one and decided to look into it. However, perfect screening in summer - during winter - forget it!!!!

  • 27/08/2008 07:48 PM
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    Hi Rooibost, your post immediately put me in mind of this garden I saw at the 2008 Chelsea show, see http://www.rhs.org.uk/chelsea/2008/urban/midori-no-tobira.asp. Chelsea's so very 'serious', but this garden was pure fun, a blast of fresh air! I guess this comes under your category of 'other properties'... The sphagnum moss is supported by a wire-mesh framework, and fed by water collected from the rooftop. 

    In explaining the garden, Midori says: "when I was a young boy, I would often make a "Secret Base". It was my space on a rooftop of personal memories. When I opened the secret door, there was a different and exciting world waiting for me. I wanted to make the kind of green space where one could truly ask "Is this really a roof-top?".

    I've his contact details and plants list- let me know if you would like me to email them to you. There are more pics if you search Google images for his garden (it's called 'Green Door'). Good luck with the project.

    Charlie
  • 28/08/2008 03:12 AM
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    We had a big problem with slugs on our green wall until we bought the hedgehog a "cherry-picker." We did try teaching him to abseil, but he's all thumbs when it comes to knots.

    -------------------

    Ow! My most of me!

  • 28/08/2008 01:33 PM
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    I LOVED the green walls on the "Green Door" Chelsea garden linked by Mr Green Fuse. I've been considering trying it on a sturdy wooden fence -  it links from the house to a tall beach hedge, and is about 8ft tall, but only about 10ft long. Anyone know if this would be feasible?

  • 28/08/2008 03:47 PM
    • Susiq
    • Northumberland
    • 16 Feb 2008
    • 3,125
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    Hi Mr Green Fuse - I've sent you a PM

     

  • 30/08/2008 09:36 AM
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    Thanks Susiq, you have a reply.

    Charlie
  • 01/09/2008 01:02 PM
    • rooibosT42
    • Market Lavington
    • 27 Aug 2008
    • 21
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    Thanks very much Charlie!  If you wouldn't mind e-mailing me the listing it would be really helpful.  I'll search for the Green Door images too.

    E.mail is gardenwall@rocketmail.com

    Best wishes

    Sarah

  • 01/09/2008 01:20 PM
    • rooibosT42
    • Market Lavington
    • 27 Aug 2008
    • 21
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    Hi, first of all your constraints: 

    what are you growing onto - can it grip,  can it wind itself on or can it be supported; 

    What are you growing it in - soil type, water, etc; 

    Which direction does it face and what is the overall microclimate - north/south/east/west - full sun, semi, shaded? 

    What about your reasons: what are you growing it for - looks?  wildlife? noise pollution?  Windbreak? Do you want flowers?  Do you want year-round cover?

    Now you have some idea this will limit what you put up there so the next step is to get a good book of climbers.  The RHS Practicals: Climbing Plants is good, here's one list http://www.gardeningdata.co.uk/climbers/climber_plants.php and What to Plant Where is also well worth a look. 

     You can then install some bird boxes, feeders, ladybird boxes, and bat boxes (all depending on finance and height constraints of course!).

     Good luck.

  • 01/09/2008 01:33 PM
    • sue1002
    • Ipswich, Suffolk
    • 06 Sep 2005
    • 9,503
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    It's probably not a good idea to give your email address to the whole world rooibost42, better to use the private message facility in your profile.

    sue1002
  • 01/09/2008 01:48 PM
    • Susiq
    • Northumberland
    • 16 Feb 2008
    • 3,125
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    ditto!

  • 02/09/2008 08:25 AM
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    Check your mail, Rooibost.

    Charlie
  • 05/09/2008 03:55 PM
    • tipps
    • London
    • 02 Sep 2008
    • 5
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     rooibost, do you know about Patrick Blanc?  You should probably look at his approach as an example for your project.  http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/01/15/vertical-gardens-by-patrick-blanc/

     I think the proposed designs for Crystal Palace Park by architects Latz and Company may incorporate a similar idea, but everything is still in the planning permission stage so what ends up being done in the end is anyone's guess right now.  

  • 05/09/2008 04:05 PM
    • Susiq
    • Northumberland
    • 16 Feb 2008
    • 3,125
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    Hi tipps - your link doesn't work?!?!?

  • 11/09/2008 12:33 AM
    • tipps
    • London
    • 02 Sep 2008
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     It should be fine now - didn't realise that links wouldn't automatically work here.