Vertical Gardens

Wouldn’t it be great to see a variety of plants instead of just the rendered or plain brickwork of a building?

Wouldn’t it be great to see a variety of plants instead of just a wall or a fence?

Wouldn’t it be great to see a variety of plants instead of a barren or mundane landscape?

Wouldn’t it be great to see a variety of plants instead of feeling they are miles away deep in the jungle or the countryside?

Well, that’s what we think! Surely it would be great to see plants in these situations?

Vertical Plantscapes are contemporary and ‘green’ solutions for improving our environment, aesthetically and practically through their design, installation and maintenance.

At the forefront of contemporary garden and landscape design, vertical plantscapes are injecting new life into our homes, gardens and places of work. We are all realizing the natural benefits of plants especially in places where they would not be expected, whether they be in a small courtyard or garden, the front of a shop on the high street or on the inside walls of an atrium of a big building or shopping centre.

 Benefits of Vertical Plantscapes

There are so many benefits of vertical plantscapes especially where space is limited – visual and environmental. They stimulate interest and can enliven the side of a modern building, a dull wall, or a mundane street. They can offer inspiration, elevation, beauty and awe to a courtyard, a garden, a city centre or pretty much anywhere where there is a vertical space suitable.

Patterns and textures can be created with numerous herbaceous plants that can transform a view seen from the side which usually would have been fairly limited. Drifts of plants whether they be grasses or evergreens, and a variety of colours can create beautiful effects pleasing on the eye and nurturing for the soul.

 Why Should I Consider Vertical Plantscapes?

• Air quality improves – bacteria on the roots of the plants metabolize the impurities and volatile organic compounds in the air

• Sound proofing – deadens sounds coming from the inside and outside

• Thermal insulation – cooler inside and outside in summer, warmer in winter

• Refreshes and revitalizes familiar places, spaces and buildings

• Original and contemporary solution for aesthetic improvements to property

• Filters rainwater that flows across its surface n.b. rainwater harvesting techniques can be incorporated

• Potential to reduce employee absenteeism through decreased stress levels due to the presence of plants

• Maximise enjoyment with minimum space

 How Do Vertical Plantscapes Work?

The Modular Vertical Plantscape System –

Our lightweight modular cage and hydroponic system allows a variety of herbaceous plants to colonise the interior and exterior walls of old and new buildings or any suitable vertical space or facade. This is achieved by planting into the cages and feeding the plants with pumped water and nutrients through a network of irrigation pipes. Conditions and orientation dictate plant species that’s best used. Planting design can be discussed and agreed. Structural engineer’s approval for majority of installations.

Our system is unique amongst vertical garden solutions due to the astounding water retention qualities of the growing medium used within the scientifically designed removable modules that only require up to 2 litres of water per module per day. This system is lightweight in comparison to soil based systems weighing in at circa 50kg per module, saturated, depending on types of plant species used, around 30% lighter in weight than other systems, allowing for greater elevations and larger installations.

After the proposed installation has been approved by the structural engineer in terms of structural integrity of the host wall, and the design for the vertical plantscape has been approved by the Client, we overlay the modules with a specific planting plan which dictates each planting location throughout the full plantscape. Each module/cage is planted up off site to allow plants to establish themselves into a semi-mature state so as to arrive on site ready to be installed thus reducing installation time.

System Format

The Vertical Plantscapes System is offered in a modular/cage format. The Vertical Plantscapes are supplied as a fully planted media based product, known as a Vertical Plantscapes Module or Vertical Plantscapes Cage, 1000mm x 800mm and is installed usually semi matured.

The planted and semi matured Module/Cage is secured to a wall, facade or vertical structure/space that enables plants to grow on the vertical face. The Module is delivered to the site as a complete and numbered planting module ready to be installed.

Functionality

Drainage

Water Retention

Erosion Control

Growing Medium

Vegetation

Root anchoring for Vegetation

Water Filtration

Even Water Distribution

Vertical Plantscapes Details

Vertical Plantscapes consist of Modules also known as Cages.

The standard VP1 Module/Cage is 1000mm high x 800mm wide x 100mm deep and is manufactured from 3mm diameter 10 gauge stainless steel weldmesh and has its own water retention system into which the growing media and plant selection establish.

The unique feature of the Vertical Plantscapes System is its dimensionally stable, dense and inorganic chemically inert material that ensures complete saturation through a network of irrigation pipes with minimal effort and minimal water.

The beauty of this system allows for bespoke Modules of different dimensions to be manufactured according to the specific installation. This is dictated by the desired effect to be created and the type of vegetation to be grown.

Vertical Plantscapes Installation

The Vertical Plantscape Module/Cage is mounted onto a pair of 2mm thick stainless steel U-channels measuring 1000mm x 60mm x 60mm which run vertically down the host wall, each individually secured either by 3 no.100mm M10 wall anchors or 3 no. M10 high tensile steel threaded rod chemically fixed.

The U channels secure the VP1 Module/Cage to the support structure whether it is a brick or block wall or other structure, through 4 no. side mounted 50mm x 60mm x 2mm stainless steel fixing lugs, which hook the Module/Cage onto 4 no. M8 high tensile steel bolts. Each bolt is protected by a 12mm outer dia. nylon sleeve. This design allows for a 60mm deep air gap between the face of the host wall and the back of the Module/Cage.

For some installations a waterproof membrane is required whether physical eg. EPDM (Hertalan easy.cover) or liquid/silicone(eg.Thompsons Waterseal), pending environment.

All Vertical Plantscapes require a length of guttering/box drainage channel running along the base of the installation and according to the intended design are either made from stainless steel or powder coated galvanised steel or black PVC, and requiring one running outlet, two stop ends, gutter/drainage channel brackets, 4 no. 45 degree downpipe bends and 2 no. 90 degree downpipe bends, downpipe brackets and lengths of downpipe dictated by specific installation.

Irrigation system

The Vertical Plantscapes irrigation system requires access to mains electricity and water. The main component is a plastic water storage tank – size dependent on size of installation eg. 1250 litres – Dimensions c.1250mm x 750mm x 1500mm, installed in basement or above ground. The need for a separate sump and pump is dependent of location of installation. Carrier pipes need to be secured to Vertical Plantscape connecting to distribution pipes that are laid on top of row of Modules/Cages. A gate valve tap requires connecting to the mains water supply in as does a solenoid valve to the gate valve tap and the carrier pipe connected to the former. The control panel needs to be installed to an accessible location. Pumps, pressure regulators, transformers, filters, pipes, fittings, low voltage cable, clips, cable ties, floats and connectors are specified for each installation.