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Vertical Gardening: A New Concept of Modern Era

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 Commercial Horticulture, pp 527-536
© 2016, Editors, N.L. Patel, S.L. Chawla and T.R. Ahlawat
New India Publishing Agency, New Delhi, India

39
Vertical Gardening: A New Concept of
Modern Era
Ritu Jain1 and T. Janakiram2
Division of Floriculture and Landscaping, IARI, New Delhi – 110 012
1

Division of Horticultural Science, ICAR, New Delhi – 110 012

2

With the advent of modernization and urbanization, people are shifting from rural to
urban areas, thereby, urban population is increasing day by day resulting in congested
cities and towns. All around the world, a huge number of buildings are being constructed
adding many more in future. Throughout the years, replacement of vegetated surfaces
with paved and impervious surfaces in the urban areas have increased the temperature
as compared to rural areas, because the paved surfaces absorbs, retain and reradiate
more solar energy than vegetation. The ambient temperature in urban area can be as
much as 6oC higher than the air in rural areas. Urban landscaping is gaining popularity
nowadays as people are becoming more conscious about green and clean environment.
Design, construction and maintenance of buildings have a tremendous impact on the
environment and the natural resources. The important issues in building include increasing
the comfort, health and safety of people residing or working in that building. In 21st
century, people are slowly beginning to realize the necessity of green architecture where
new aspects and technologies emerged in terms of green buildings. Bringing land to life
and life to land is the need of the era and the transition from grey to green walls is only
possible by landscaping. Since, there is no scope of horizontal expansion and only vertical
space is available which can be converted to vertical gardens. It will increase carbon
capture and better climate change adaptation. Vertical gardens are also referred as
Green wall, Living wall or Bio walls. 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,
528 Commercial Horticulture

soil or an inorganic growing medium. It is evident from the history that greening of
outside walls of buildings increase insulation by keeping cool in summer and warmth in
winter, improved aesthetics, improved indoor and outdoor climate, reduced greenhouse
gases such as Carbon dioxide (CO2), Carbon monoxide (CO) and Nitrogen dioxide
(NO2) as well as increasing ecological values by creating habitats for birds and insects.
The integration of vegetation on buildings by vertical greening allows a significant
improvement of the building’s efficiency, ecology and environmental benefits. A Green
Wall will have a noticeable impact on the heat gain and loss of a building, as well as the
humidity, air quality and energy savings. According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, a well-designed landscape can protect home
from winter wind and summer sun, thus saving up to 25 per cent of a household’s
energy consumption for heating and cooling; increase an air conditioning unit’s efficiency
by as much as 10 per cent and add 10-15 per cent to home’s value.
Basically, there are four fundamental mechanisms that characterize green vertical
systems as a passive system for energy savings: shadow produced by the vegetation,
insulation provided by vegetation and substrate evaporative cooling by evapo-transpiration
and the barrier effect to wind. The quantum of the influence of plant covered surfaces
depends on several parameters such as the covering percentage, density and width of
plant foliage that covers building surfaces etc.,and their extent defines the effectiveness
of plant cover.The living wall sometimes built indoor to help in alleviating sick building
syndrome. Living walls are particularly suitable for cities as they allow good use of
available vertical areas. They are also suitable in arid areas, as the circulating water on
a vertical wall is less likely to evaporate than in horizontal gardens.
These walls look great and are extremely good for the environment, especially when
they are installed in built up urban areas. The larger green walls concept has been
utilized with innovative hydroponics technology.

History of Green Walls

The concept of the green wall dates back to 600 BC with the Hanging Gardens of
Babylon, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Romans used to train grapevines,
on garden trellises and on villa walls, climbing roses were the symbols of secret gardens.
In 1920’s British and Americans encouraged the integration of garden features and
plant usage, for example, using pergolas, trellis structures and self-climbing plants. In
1988, there was the introduction of the stainless steel cable for green facades. In 1990s,
cable and wire rope net systems and modular trellis panel systems were introduced. In
the year 1993, the first major application of the new trellis panel system was featured at
the Universal City Walk in California. In 1994, In Canada, Life Building in Toronto (an
indoor living wall) was created with bio-filtration system. Perhaps the world’s most
famous vertical garden designer is Paris-based botanist Patrick Blanc who named it
“vegetal walls”. His creations can be seen in cities as diverse as São Paulo and Singapore.
 Vertical Gardening: A New Concept of Modern Era 529

In 2001, his remarkable interior garden helped establish Paris’s Pershing Hall hotel as
an eminent address. In the year 2005, around thirty different modular systems for vertical
gardens were available.

Benefits of Green Wall

Aesthetic benefits
Green wall is often used to improve the aesthetic value of the urban area. Vegetation
can provide visual contrast and relief from the highly built-up city environment. Plants
also give the city dwellers a sense of closeness to the Mother Nature in the hard
concrete jungle in the city. Apart from that, natural landscape provides elements of
natural scale and visual beauty as well as seasonal indicator to buildings and streets. In
addition, softness of the greenery compared to the hard surface of the concrete can
also provide visual relief to plain walls. Unattractive building walls can be veiled by the
green walls and vegetation.

Improved thermal efficiency of the building

Plants can offer cooling benefits in the city through two mechanisms, direct shading and
evaporative transpiration. The plants used in green walls provide shade to the building
and shading extent depends on the density of the plants in the green walls. Shading of
building leads to temperature reduction in and around building.Green walls provide
minimum diurnal fluctuation through providing insulation to the building. It has been
reported that Green walls can reduce the surface temperature of buildings by as much
as 15.2oC

Indoor air quality improvement

Plants have been widely believed to be effective scavengers of both gaseous and
particulate pollutants from the atmosphere in the urban environment. They can improve
the air quality by filtering out airborne particles in their leavesand branches as well as by
absorbing gaseous pollutants through photosynthesis. They filter airborne particles in
their leaves and branches as well as absorb gaseous pollutants. Through bio filtration,
Volatile Organic Compounds commonly known as VOCs are absorbed through both
plants and planting medium.

Economical benefits
Plants introduced around buildings can improve construction integrity by reducing the
weather effect. The uses of green walls reduce the climatic stress on building façades
and prolong the service and practical life of buildings. It also helps in the reduction of
building deterioration by UV (ultra violet) rays. Reduced cost on the painting materials
is one of the economical benefit of the green walls. It has been reported that in warmer
climates, energy used for cooling in a building can be reduced by 28%. Greenery can
also add value to the property.
530 Commercial Horticulture

Improvement of Health and Wellness

It has been proved that visual and physical contacts with plants can result in direct
health benefits. Green wall can generate restorative effects leading to decreased stress;
improve patient recovery rate and higher resistance to illness. The vertical gardens
helps in absorbing the obnoxious gases and volatile compounds produced due to the use
of all modern amenities, thus reducing the risk of cancer, stroke, depression, heart and
respiratory ailments.
Reduction of Urban Heat Island effect (UHI): There are following causes of urban
heat island effect.

a) Canyon geometry
Urban canyons, especially the deep ones, work as traps which decrease the loss of both
short-wave and long wave radiation emitted from streets and building will eventually
find their way into indoor space or re-emit back to the surroundings after sunset.

b) Building materials
During the day time, more sensible heat can be stored in building materials, such as
concrete, brick and asphalt, due to their big heat capacity. The stored heat will then be
released back to the environment at night.

c) Greenhouse effect
Long-wave radiation can easily be trapped inside the polluted urban atmosphere due to
the greenhouse effect.

d) Anthropogenic heat source

Anthropogenic heat generated from industrial combustion, traffic, air-conditioners and
so on can aggravate the UHI effect.

e) Evaporative cooling source

The UHI effect can be mitigated by evaporative cooling means, such as vegetation,
water body and so on, since more incident energy can be transformed into latent heat
rather than sensible heat. Unfortunately, the lack of such evaporative cooling methods
in cities, especially the loss of greenery, causes severe UHI effect.

f) Wind pattern
Heat trapped inside urban canyons can be averted from source areas by turbulent
transfer. However, such heat loss from within streets can be reduced where there is
possible obstruction of wind flow by urban settings. In this case, ventilation in urban
open space is of great importance. Most of the solar radiation were intercepted and
seized by the dense foliages of the plants, except for a very small portion transformed
 Vertical Gardening: A New Concept of Modern Era 531

into chemical energy through photosynthesis. The absorbed solar radiation are then
modified to latent heat which converts water from liquid to gas, resulting in low leaf
temperature, lower surrounding air temperature and higher humidity through the process
of evapo-transpiration. In other words, the UHI can be alleviated through these
mechanisms. Plants can adjust climate through their unique shading, wind shielding,
evapo-transpiration and photosynthesis processes.

Other Benefits of Green Wall Includes

• Reducing internal room temperature by 5 to 10 degrees in summer by installing
them from outside.
• Plants are away from soil- borne diseases.
• More plants with in limited space.
• Helps in saving water.
• Helps in hiding less attractive portions of landscape.
• Provides excellent air circulation for the plants.
• Can provide privacy and a disguise from unattractive views.

Classification of Vertical Gardens/Green Walls

There are two main categories of green walls: green façades and living walls. Green
facades are made up of climbing plants either growing directly on a wall or, more
recently, specially designed supporting structures. The plant shoot system grows up the
side of the building while being rooted in the ground. With a living wall, the modular
panels are often made of stainless steel containers, geo textiles, irrigation systems, a
growing medium and vegetation.The vegetation for a green façade is always attached
on outside walls; although some living walls can also be green walls for interior use.

1. Container/trellis system
Commonly known as Green façades, refer to vines and climbers that grow from the
ground or from large containers at various locations around the building supported either
by the wall itself or by a supporting trellis/mesh. The wall-climbing type is the very
common and traditional green walls method. Although, it is a time consuming process,
climbing plants can cover the walls of building naturally. Sometimes, they are grown
upwards with the help of a trellis or other supporting systems.

2. Modular panel system

Commonly known as living wall, the panel system composed of pre planted panels,
vertical modules that hold growing media to support plants that are fixed vertically to a
structural wall or frame. The module type is the latest concept compared to the previous
532 Commercial Horticulture

two types. It requires more complicated design and planning considerations before a
vertical system is ready.
Requirement of plants and media for different types of vertical garden

Vertical garden type Plant Growing media Construction type

Wall Climbing Climbing plants Soil on ground or in Minimal supporting

planter box structure is needed
Hanging Down Plants with long Soil in planted box on Planter box and supporting
hanging down stem every storey structure should be made
according to storey
Modular Short plants Light weight panel of Supporting of structure for
artificial growing media hanging or placing modules
should be built on facades

Planning for the Vertical Garden

Planning includes suitable location, local climate, availability of plant material, set up of
supporting structures including necessary preparations for integrated drip-tube irrigation
etc. A vertical garden can be built virtually in any location and key to success is the
selection of the right species for the right location.
Green wall consists of………
• Plant Material: Plants selections are site-specific and determined by light
availability, location, size, color, texture, and growth habits.
• Planting Matrix: Medium for the plants to root and anchor onto a vertical surface.
These can be in the form of organics, such as soil, or inorganic like plastics or
synthetic fibers.
• Irrigation System: To supply the plants with water and nutrients for proper
growth.
• Waterproof Barrier: To protect the building’s façade from moisture.
• Structural Support: For supporting, the structural load of the vertical garden
system onto the building façade.
• Lighting: To supply plants with sufficient lighting to photosynthesize and promote
natural growth habits. Lighting can either be supplied by a natural source (the
sun) or artificial source (metal halide, high-pressure sodium, and LED lights).

Construction of Green Wall

Construction of green walls includes designing, installation and maintenance. A well
executed design is a way to minimize the future maintenance. Choosing the right plant
for the right place is very important in a vertical garden.
 Vertical Gardening: A New Concept of Modern Era 533

a) Design
For the overall design, a lot of inspiration is taken from natural shapes and environments
where these types of plants have their origin, and in the smaller scale each species is
given a context where it can develop its characteristics; all together creating a unique
garden with much content, surprise and variation. During designing, strategy will be
different for exterior and interior walls. An important design consideration for exterior
living walls is how they are going to evolve over the course of the year. The garden is
designed so that the plant’s natural growth habit is provided alongwith a dynamic co-
habitat with different adjacent species. Selection of plants is based on characteristics
such as colour, texture, pattern and size in order to achievethe greatest visual result.
Plants are positioned correctly so they will thrive and achieve their full potential. Bloom
time, flower and foliage colour, and the use of evergreen plants are all factors that
should be considered during selection of plants. Once the plants have been selected,
create the blueprints and artistic renderings of the future green wall. The representations
will also give an idea of the overall patterns and colours of the completed living artwork.
Moreover, maximize the number of species that are best at improving indoor air
quality.There will be the noticeable decrease in urban heat island, energy consumption
and increased refreshing air for a healthy environment. The supporting structures are
very important for the construction of vertical gardens and are used depending upon the
design of vertical gardens may be exterior or interior. The supporting structure consists
of a 10 mm PVC-board mounted on a stud work. The solid PVC-board is sealed at
joints, and an air gap between the board and the wall behind assure a double protection
against moisture. On top of the board, a multi-layered, synthetic and highly absorbent
felt surface is attached. It gives an even distribution of water over the surface and
provides mechanical support for the plants as they grow attached to the felt. A cut is
made in the outer felt layer and the plants inserted in between. As a soilless surface, the
construction is very light – less than 30kg/m2 including plants.

b) Installation
A vertical garden can be installed in almost any location and as a living material; the
potential of integrating plants in our urban environments is interesting. Places never
thought of as possible could be inhabited by plants, like subway stations or other intensely
frequented places where horizontal space is difficult to spare. Plants are added at their
suitable places. Vertical gardening is an innovative way of bringing flowers and plants
into the forefront of our consciousness. Along with variety of benefits, there are a
variety of ways to plant flowers, herbs and vegetables on a vertical plane. Flower
towers are a great way to get gorgeous blooms noticed and send shock waves of
admiration through all who view them. Flower towers, planters, and verti-gardens are a
few of the inexpensive ways to plant with efficient watering system that keeps the
flower’s roots wet. For installation of these walls, there is a need of setting up an
automatic irrigation system which will supply the plants with the ideal amount of water
534 Commercial Horticulture

and nutrients. The irrigation system is designed to minimize water consumption. It consists
of an automation-unit with equipment for control of nutrient injection and irrigation
cycles. When a surface has a variation of sun exposures, the irrigation is divided into
segments in order to program, it specifically for each part. Within the multi-layered felt
surface, a drip-tube is integrated and water consumption varies with heat and sun exposure.
As compared to normal green spaces or lawn, the consumption is normally lower and
averages between 2-5 l/m2/day.
Direct sunlight intensity is over 1000 lux whereas the average light level in an office is
around 300-500 lux. For indoor green walls, depending on how much natural light there
is, special low-energy, high output light fixtures are mounted to illuminate the wall. Even
if the least light demanding species are used, artificial light is normally necessary indoor.
A few species perform well at 900 lux, but a slightly increased level will broaden the
variation of species that can be used. Artificial light is not only necessary for the plants
survival and growth, but also makes the green wall more beautiful. A suitable light
source is the metal halide which produces the essential wave-lengths needed by plant.
It is an energy-saving and cost-efficient alternative.

c) Maintenance
As the supply of the basic needs of plants (light, water and nutrients) are automated,
plants remain healthy, reduces maintenance demand and makes the vertical garden
possible to use on high buildings or other places where accessibility is limited. Small
scale domestic green walls require very little in the way of maintenance.The perennial
plants have to be replaced as and when required. Climbing plants entering guttering or
tendrils twining around window fixtures may need occasional sorting.It is important to
make sure that extensive areas of foliage are not allowed to become too tangled as this
could compromise the support system and also the health of the plants. Where, there is
the possibility of shoots penetrating between materials in the building, for example under
tiles, cladding or roofs, this growth will need to be cut back to ensure that the facade
does not interfere with the fabric of the building. These maintenance measures will
ensure a long term lush and attractive garden. Extending the plants or greenery onto the
building façade has shown potential in improving air quality and reducing surface
temperature in the built environment. Plants certainly help to promote thermal comfort
as they cools down the building façade and the surrounding by transpiration. The breathing
wall with vegetated façade tends to focus to develop the building as an ecologically
complex and stable plant, microbial and human community that helps to improve the air
quality in an interface between natural processes and the built structure environmental
system. The whole system works for the social, ecological and environmental benefits.
 Vertical Gardening: A New Concept of Modern Era 535

Plants Suitable for Vertical Garden

Plant selection should be based on local climatic conditions. Plants should have compact
growth habit which is likely to provide thick and dense cover. Plants with short growth
habit should have shallow fibrous root system, long life cycle. Plants should be capable
to cope with full sun or full shade according to the location. Most commonly used plants
in vertical garden are
Green Façades: Hedera helix, Parthenocissus spp, Hydrangea petiolaris,
Polygonum bauldschianicum, Lonicera spp. Clematis spp. Aristolochia spp.
Jasminum officinale, Passiflora caerulea, etc.
Living Wall: Dracaena, Phalaenopsis spp, Asparagus sprengeri, Kalanchoe,
Cordyline spp.Chlorophytum spp., Haworthia spp., Tradescantia sp, Fittonia spp,
Nephrolepsis, Clematis, Gardenia spp., Asplenium nidus, Maranta spp., Cotoneaster,
Euonymus fortune, Hedera, Hydrangea, Lonicera, Parthenocissus, Polygonum,
Pyracantha, Selaginella, Wisteria, Rose, Petunia, Nasturtiums, Daisies, Bromeliads
and even some vegetables like tomato, chillies, cucumber, peas lettuce, etc.
Exterior Wall: Lavendula, Thymus, Rosmarinus or Salvia for full sunlight while
Begonia, Arum, Davallia, Asplenium, and Fuchsia for shady locations.
Interior Wall: Philodendron, Epipremnum, Aeschynanthus, Columnea, Saintpaulia,
Begonia or different ferns like Nephrolepis, Pterisandmany species of Peperomia.

Steps Involved in the Preparation of Vertical Garden

• The Vertical Garden is composed of three parts: a metal frame, a PVC layer and
a layer of felt.
• The metal frame is hung on a wall or can be self-standing.
• PVC sheet of 1.00 cm thickness is riveted to the metal frame. This layer brings
rigidity to the whole structure and makes it waterproof.
• A felt layer, made of polyamide, is stapled on the PVC. This felt is rot proof and
its high capillarity allow homogeneous water distribution and the plant roots grow
well on felt.
• Slits are cut in the outer felt layer to create pockets into which the plants are
placed.
• Plants are installed on this felt layer as seeds, cuttings or already grown plants.
The density is about thirty plants per square meter.
• The watering is provided from the top supplemented with nutrients. Watering and
fertilization are automated.
 536 Commercial Horticulture

• A pump and drip irrigation system supply nutrient-laden water, which slowly
cascades down the wall through the felt material layers until reaching the bottom
where a collector recovers the excess for reuse .
• The whole weight of the vertical garden including plants and metal frame is lower
than 25 kg per square meter.
Thus, the vertical garden can be implemented on any wall, without any size or height.

Future Thrust
The study in Vertical garden is a new field to investigate, regarding the insulation properties,
durability aspects, maintenance, choice of plants suitable to the existing climatic conditions,
materials involved, etc. Effect of the factors such as the physical structure, materials
and dimensions of the panels, substrate type, composition, depth on the performance of
vertical greenery systems need to be studied. The study of Green walls with respect to
Indian conditions must be done. Developing green wall requiring minimum cost and
maintenance is one of the challenges which must be fulfilled.

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