Vertical Gardens: What is their origin and application?
Contact with Nature is increasingly becoming a luxury nowadays. With the increase and expansion of urban areas, space and viable options for green areas become increasingly reduced. This scenario challenges integrating natural elements into urban daily life, where population density and infrastructure dominate the landscape.
Vertical Gardens emerge as an interesting alternative to consider when creating a natural and enjoyable environment in places with limited space, such as balconies or urban terraces.
The lack of space is no longer an impediment for those who have always wanted a garden. This creative solution promises to bring the beauty of Nature into your daily life, without needing to travel many miles or purchase a home with ample outdoor space.
Origin
Originating in France, the concept of a garden that defies gravity and extends vertically emerged in the hands of designer Patrick Blanc in the 1980s.
It was during a trip to Thailand that Patrick began to consider this previously unexplored version.
Observing that plants have the ability to grow in various locations and orientations, needing only a permanent and sufficient source of nutrition, Blanc immediately considered inventing a new garden structure.
Through the study of a closed recirculation circuit with irrigation water and nutrients, combined with the use of local vegetation, he created the first public vertical garden in 1986 at the Cité des Sciences in Paris.
What is a Vertical Garden?
Also known as a "green wall," a Vertical Garden is a landscaping application on walls (external or internal) of buildings, covered with various types of vegetation.
These vertical structures must allow the plants to grow vertically through systems that support them and provide the necessary nutrients for their balanced development.
More than just decorative elements, vertical gardens have the power to transform urban spaces, adding vitality and connecting people to nature in environments often lacking green areas.
Their versatility allows for adaptations to different architectural styles and specific needs, contributing to the creation of healthier and more harmonious environments.
Benefits of their use
Despite generally being conceived as ornamental applications due to their beauty, these structures can also have several other associated benefits.
In addition to increasing oxygen levels, as expected, they also act as natural environmental purifiers, reduce temperature, and stimulate biodiversity in the surroundings.
A garden acts as a natural purifier. By absorbing pollutants and releasing oxygen, it improves air quality. Thus, by helping to reduce the effects of carbon emissions and consequent pollution, it improves air quality and humidity.
The vegetation applied in these spaces acts as a natural barrier against heat waves enhanced by urban structures, primarily composed of cement and tar. It captures the hot air only for itself, promoting thermal insulation of the building. Consequently, acoustic insulation is also improved.
A vertical garden is also a refuge for urban wildlife, offering shelter and basic food for birds and pollinating insects. Enhancing biodiversity in the urban world. This interaction between vegetation and urban fauna creates microscopic ecosystems that help balance the environment and promote sustainability in urban areas.
Elements to consider
Before starting the construction of a Vertical Garden, various issues must be considered and pondered. Because it is a garden structure different from horizontal ones, some of its integration and application components will be different from usual.
It is important to carefully plan every aspect of the project to ensure a pleasant and long-lasting final result.
- Location of Application
The first theme to consider is, obviously, the location of the garden installation. Although it is increasingly possible to work with this type of garden on various types of walls, it is important to analyze if the location you have in mind can accommodate this technique, both in terms of support and access to irrigation.
In terms of location, balconies, and terraces are recommended for outdoor spaces, and more open areas like living rooms and offices for indoor spaces. The choice of the appropriate location plays a crucial role in the success of the vertical garden.
Regarding logistical issues, it is relevant to evaluate the available space, as well as the needs of the plants to be integrated. Generally, it should be a well-lit area with plenty of natural ventilation.
The amount of direct and indirect sunlight that the location receives throughout the day is a determining factor in the choice of plants to be used and their ability to develop healthily. In addition, good air circulation is essential to avoid problems such as moisture accumulation and the development of diseases in plants.
- Necessary Structuring
Once the location is chosen, it becomes essential to analyze how the plants will be applied in the defined space. Depending on the type of wall and application system, before applying the structure, it may be necessary to prepare it to support the new vertical garden. Issues such as waterproofing or cleaning are important steps to perform even before considering the application of plants.
Wall preparation is essential to ensure a solid and durable base for the vertical garden. If the wall is not properly waterproofed, water leakage and damage to the building structure can occur over time. Furthermore, a clean and smooth surface provides better adhesion for fixing materials and reduces the risk of plant health problems, such as pests and diseases.
In addition, the irrigation system should always be considered at this stage, to avoid future surprises when considering the watering method for your green wall. Choosing the appropriate irrigation system is crucial to ensure that the plants receive water and nutrients in the required quantity and frequency for their healthy growth.
When planning the irrigation system, consider factors such as the type of plants used, local climate, and water availability. A well-designed and installed system can make all the difference in the long-term success of your vertical garden.
- Plants to choose
Before starting the creation of your vertical garden, there is one last topic to consider: the plant species to include in the project. At this point, two questions are very important to determine which vegetation to choose: the lighting of the location where the vertical garden will be and the availability of water resources.
Depending on these questions, we will have different lists of appropriate species. If solar exposure is sufficient, we should consider species that not only have this requirement but also can withstand longer periods of drought/heat. If we are talking about an indoor space, solar availability changes, and the same happens for walls where the sun does not shine directly or not for so long (partial shade). In these places, we should opt for plants with lower solar requirements.
The same applies to their water needs. According to your availability to provide more or less water for the plants in the Vertical Garden, you should choose species with needs adjusted to that capacity.
Also, remember that only plants whose roots can grow vertically should be chosen. Since space is limited, it is ideal for them to be small root species so that your project can accommodate more vegetation.
Plants with aggressive root systems can compete for space and nutrients, compromising the healthy growth of other plants in the vertical garden. Opting for plants with vertical and non-invasive roots is essential to ensure the long-term success of your vertical garden.
Conclusion
Emerging as a trend in garden design, these vertical constructions bring life to tall city buildings. The monotony of urban landscapes is thus broken through the implementation of these "living" walls. Whether outdoors or indoors, they are ideal solutions for those with limited free space and an essential need for nature.
In addition to bringing nature to your home exceptionally, they purify the air, acting as natural filters. Vertical gardens not only add aesthetic beauty but also improve the air quality we breathe and provide a healthier and more pleasant environment to live and work in.
If you believe that a Vertical Garden is the perfect solution for your small space, talk to us. We specialize in making every corner greener and more natural, no matter the space.
Our team is ready to help you create a customized vertical garden that meets your individual needs and preferences, transforming your environment into an oasis of tranquility and natural beauty.