3.2.
1 The plant types for use in vertical greening systems
Most of the living walls seen today are 'ornamental'. Their prime function is to look good.
Therefore the majority of plants used in living walls are ornamentals. Living walls are starting to be used
for urban agriculture projects. Edible plants (herbs, fruit, vegetables) can be planted [1].
3.2.1.1 Bulbs
In general plant smaller varieties that grow well in containers, and come back year after year
(eg. Allium schoenoprasum, Galanthus nivalis). Space will be restricted in some living wall systems and
the bulbs can become crowded. They will also be in a consistantly moist environment and can rot.
3.2.1.2 Annuals
Annuals complete their entire life cycle in a single season (eg. Viola tricolour). They can be used
to provide seasonal displays within a living wall system. There may be additional costs involved with
maintenance: annuals will need to be replaced when they no longer look their best.
3.2.1.3 Perennials
Perennials persit for many growing seasons (eg. Carex morrowii, Geranium endressii, Hosta
spp.). They can be deciduous or evergreen and are by far the most widespread type of plants used in
living walls.
3.2.1.4 Shrubs
Shrubs are woody plants, smaller than trees, and have serveral main stems arising from the
base (eg. Euonymus fortunei, Erica carnea, Potentilla fruiticosa). They can be deciduous or evergreen.
Younger plants are more sensitive to the cold than mature ones. By the very nature of living walls, the
plants are usually very young when planted (9 cm is usual with many living wall systems).
3.2.1.5 Climbers
Climbers climb up trees and tall structures by different adaptive means:
Self-clinging plants with aerial rootlets, e.g. Hedera helix
Twining plants/vines where the main stem twines around a support, e.g. Trachelospermum
jasminoides
Tendrils – a tendril will entwine itself around a support (a stem of another plant for example),
e.g. Clematis 'Bill MacKenzie'
Climbers can be deciduous or evergreen. Their growth can be vigorous, over-running other plants in the
living wall, possibly resulting in additional maintenance (and therefore cost).
3.2.1.6 Herbs
Herbs are any plant with leaves, seeds, or flowers used for flavouring, food, medicine, or
perfume. They can be annuals or herbaceous perennials, evergreen or deciduous (e.g. Artemisia
dracunculus, Petroselinum crispum, Thymus vulgaris). If using edible plants in living walls as an urban
agriculture scheme, be aware of harvesting times of individual plants for maintenance management.
3.2.1.7 Fruit
Smaller fuit and berries which require little space in which to grow, such as strawberries
(Fragaria spp), are successful in living walls. Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum), and cranberries
(Vaccinium oxycoccos) both require acid pH [2].
3.2.1.8 Vegetables
Most vegetables are annuals. Due to restrictive space of containers in living walls, some plants
are better suited to this type of urban agriculture than other. Tomatoes, lettuces, cucumbers and even
celery work well [3].
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