VERTICAL GARDENS TAKE ROOT
Vertical gardens have long been incorporated into landscapes for their spatial aesthetics and architectural design applications. The concept was later adapted for urban dwellers who desire a garden within a small outdoor footprint.
More recently, vertical gardens have ventured indoors, and are really taking root in both residential and commercial settings.
What is a Vertical Garden?
A vertical garden is a living green wall of plants, generally grown in a hydroponic system of small, interconnected containers. Manufactured panel systems facilitate installation and come in all shapes, sizes, and materials.
Usable plant varieties, including succulents, edibles, perennials, and annuals, make the design possibilities endless. With so many options, vertical gardens make for an interesting and surprising art installation in the most unlikely of places.
The types of plants in a vertical garden dictate the location, climate, lighting, and maintenance requirements — not to mention the cost. Tropical plants, for example, are more expensive and require more care than native plants.
Green Thumb Not Required
Vertical indoor gardens require varying degrees of maintenance. Hydroponic systems make them far easier to care for compared to potted plants.
To ensure the success of your vertical garden, choose plants that match your level of interest and commitment. If you want to tend to your garden, for example, an edible garden of herbs is a dual-purpose option. If you want low maintenance, slow-growing plants that require little to no water may be a better choice.
There are a lot of homegrown do-it-yourself versions of vertical gardens, or you can enlist a professional to get you started. Many professional landscapers, such as Broccolo Tree and Landscape in Henrietta, New York, have expanded their services to include indoor and outdoor vertical garden installations and maintenance.
Environmental Health Benefits
In addition to being aesthetically pleasing (and sometimes delicious), vertical gardens serve as natural air purifiers. Studies show that bringing in a bit of greenery improves moods, too. Plants also reduce ambient temperatures and act as sound barriers.
“Studies show that health and productivity are improved just by seeing green,” said Laurie Broccolo, owner and CEO of Broccolo Tree and Landscape and Broccolo Garden Center. “Vertical gardens are not only visually pleasing; they cool and clean the environment around you.”
All the more reason to go green!