Plants on Walls,
Screens And Fences
An Overview Of Green Planting Systems, Plants,
Design And Business Opportunities
Lori W. May – Hortech, Inc.
Great Lakes Trade Expo 2013
Outline For Today
1. Types Of Green Walls
2. Benefits Of Green Walls
3. Planted Living Wall Systems
4. Plants For The Midwest
5. Business Opportunities
What is a Green Wall?
Wikipedia
A green wall is a wall, either free-standing or
part of a building, that is partially or completely
covered with vegetation and, in some cases, soil
or an inorganic growing medium. The concept of
the green wall dates back to 600 BC with the
Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
What is a Green Wall?
Wikipedia, continued
The green wall was invented by Stanley Hart
White at the University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign in 1931-38. White holds the first
known patent for a green wall, or vertical
garden, conceptualizing this new garden type as
a solution to the problem of modern garden
design.
The Latest Data Is In...
Green roofs and green walls will grow
from a $5.3 billion market in 2011
into a $7.7 billion market in 2017
Driven by mandates and incentives in
cities worldwide - Copenhagen,
London, Singapore and Chicago
Lux Research - September 2102 State of the Market
Report
3 Types of Green Walls
1. Living Retaining Wall
o Structure supports vegetation within
2. Green Facade
o Climbing plants grow directly on
structure or supports
3. Living Walls
o Pre-vegetated panels or modules
affixed to structure or frame
Planted Retaining Wall
 Protects slopes against
erosion
 Made of concrete with
interlocking units
 Easy modular installation
 Soil at face to
accommodate plants
Planted Retaining Wall
John Ball Zoo, Grand Rapids, MI
Green Facade
Portland, OR
 Plants rooted in soil at
base or in elevated
planters
 Attached to wall or
freestanding structure
 Use trellis, rigid panels or
cable system
Green Facades - Traditional Ivy, Grapes
Green Facade – Cable and Trellis
Northville, MI
Northville, MI
Trader Joe’s, Chicago
Green Facade – Cable and Trellis
West Lafayette, IN
Planted Living Walls
 Modules or panels made of
plastic, poly or fabric
 Support a greater diversity
& density of plants
 Provides much greater
design flexibility
 Perform in sun, shade or
indoors
Planted Living Walls
Provence, France
Planted Living Walls
London
Benefits of Planted Living Walls
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Social
Aesthetic
Environmental
Health
Financial
Energy & Conservation
Urban Farming
Benefits of Planted Living Walls
Social Benefits
• Create beautiful, relaxing and
inspirational environments
• Improved physical & mental health
• Enhanced productivity and
creativity
• Increased sense of pride and place
Benefits of Planted Living Walls
Aesthetic Benefits
• Organic alternative
• Expands the usefulness of buildings
• Creates 3D qualities to siding
• Can be planted randomly, in patterns
• Colors, textures & scents change
Benefits of Planted Living Walls
Environmental
• Reduce Urban Heat Island effect
o
Helps to cool/slow the air
• Noise Reduction
o Dampen and reduce sound
• Provide Habitat
o Butterflies and hummingbirds
Benefits of Planted Living Walls
Health Benefits
•
Colors affect mood & feelings
o Orange, red = warm, comfortable
o Pink, pastels = calming
o Blue, purple and green =
refreshing
•
Improved air quality
Benefits of Planted Living Walls
Financial Benefits
• Qualify for tax credits, incentives
• Building are more marketable
Energy And Conservation
• Can offer substantial energy
savings – 25 to 50%
Benefits of Planted Living Walls
Urban Farming
• Grow on the side of any building,
fence
• Any scale - personal to commercial
• Reduce costs with fresh produce from
a previously unused surface
Types of Planted Wall Systems
 Hydroponic
 Metal Mail slot
 Plastic Mail slot
 Small Cage
 Large Cage
 Pockets or Pouch
 Window Box
Hydroponic System
Metal Mail Slot System
Metal Mail Slot - Close up
Plastic Mail Slot System
Plastic Mail Slot - Close up
Small Cage System
Large Cage System
Pocket System
New Window Box System
New Window Box System
 Broadest range of plants
 Very low maintenance
 Easy to install & replant
 Easy to water & fertilize
 No soil erosion
 Use indoors or outdoors
Window Box System With Succulents
Window Box System – Fresh Herbs
Seasonal Changes Fast & Easy
Screens For Privacy
Perennials For The Midwest
For south & west facing walls (sunny, hot)
• Allium, Bergenia, Lamium, Nepeta, Salvia, Sedum
For north & east facing walls (shady, cool)
• Astilbe, Bergenia, Geranium, Heuchera, Hosta
Sedums & Succulents For The Midwest
For south & west facing walls (cool winter locations)
• Euphorbia myrisinites, Sedum varieties
For south & west facing walls (warm winter locations)
• Aeonium, Crassula, Echeveria, Portulaca, Sedums,
Annuals For The Midwest
For south & west facing walls (sunny, hot)
• Calibrachoa, Lantana, Petunia, Verbena, Vinca, Zinnia
For north & east facing walls (shade, cool)
• Begonia, Coleus, Impatiens, Lobelia, Torenia
Partial shade walls (morning sun and afternoon shade)
• Ageratum, Begonia, Dianthus, Salvia, Strobilanthes
Herbs & Medicinals For The Midwest
For south & west facing walls (sunny, hot)
• Basil, Chives, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme
For north & east facing walls (shady, cool)
• Cilantro, Lemon Balm, Mint, Parsley, Sweet Woodruff
Fruit And Vegetables
For south & west facing walls only (sunny, hot)
• Cabbage, Kale, Leaf Lettuce, Patio Vegetables,
Spinach, Strawberries, Swiss Chard
Interior Plants and Outdoor Tropicals
For indoor applications
• Bromeliad, Creeping Fig, English Ivy, Philodendron,
Snake Plant, Spider Plant
• Ferns – Bird’s Nest, Boston, Brake, Holly, Rabbit’s Foot
Business Opportunities – Who’s using?
• Architects & Engineers
o Creative expression & design recognition
• Interior Designers
o Unique air purifying & inspirational interiors
• Landscape Architects
o Unique vertical design opportunities & solutions
• Landscape Contractors
o New income stream - additional $$ in vertical sales
Business Opportunities – Markets?
• Education
o
Demonstrate environmental stewardship
• Healthcare Facilities
o
Enhance patient experience
• Corporations
o
Visible sign of environmental stewardship
• Hotels & Resorts
o
Enhanced guest experience
Business Opportunities – Markets?
• Restaurants
o
Organic ambiance with beneficial cost savings
• Casinos
o
Visible commitment to the environment
• Real Estate Developers
o
Higher occupancy with more desirable living spaces
• Government / Municipalities
o
Most sustainable choice for value & functi
Business Opportunities – Markets?
• Garden Centers
o
Broaden business, gain repeat business
• Fence & Sign Erectors
o
Increase earnings with unique installations
• Apartment & Condo Dwellers
o
Organic privacy screening
• Homeowners
o
Natural tie-in to outdoor kitchen and patio
Review
1. Types of green walls

Retaining wall, cable/trellis, planted living wall
2. Benefits of green walls

Social, aesthetic, environmental, urban farming
3. Planted living wall systems
 Mail slot, cage, pouch, window box
4. Plants for the midwest
 Perennials, sedums, annuals, herbs, vegetables
5. Business opportunities

Architects, contractors, schools, hospitals, restaurants
THANK
YOU!