In this article, we explore this unique plant, its care requirements, and how to use it in your garden design.
Well, let’s look at that question. Firstly we need to be clear – a green wall means one covered in living plants, not a wall painted green!
The concept of a green wall is gaining much favour in recent times. What started as a major landscaping revolution is now available to home gardeners in kit form and makes regular appearances on TV renovation programs.
By definition, a green wall is any vertical space which has plants growing vertically on the surface. It may be as simple as a vine growing over a wall, or as complex as enormous series of planting pockets mounted on the side of high rise buildings, with fully integrated irrigation systems.
Having green space matters. As available land becomes a highly valuable commodity in our cities, less and less is devoted to green space – that is, growing grass, trees or plants.
This has resulted in what is called the heat island effect. The heat island effect describes the phenomenon whereby the mass of concrete, bitumen and hard surfaces in cities and built up areas absorbs and holds heat, making these areas up to 3oC hotter than surrounding natural areas during the day, and as much as 12oC hotter at night.
This is significant in that this small amount of extra ambient air temperature can increase cooling costs within a building by as much as 10%, contributing to climate change through not only increased air temperatures, but also increased energy usage.
Green spaces are seen as key to reducing the heat island effect. Whilst trees are often seen as the most important green coolers due to the shade they provide, other plants and even lawns can play a very significant role in lowering ambient air temperatures – they do this by not absorbing and re-releasing large amounts of heat the way concrete does, and also through the natural process of evapotranspiration (water transpired from the leaves cools the air as it evaporates).
Green space has been shown to have very positive effects on people’s physical and mental health and the social well being within a community.
While there is no dispute as to the value of green space, where to fit it when space is at a premium becomes the problem. Green walls are the logical solution, but do they count as green space?
Green walls certainly do tick many of the boxes required of green space. The plants provide a cooling effect through both evapotranspiration and by shading the walls of the building.
Being in the presence of plants tends to improve people’s moods which aids in improving mental health – people like to look at plants.
By providing an attractive space, people tend to show greater respect and appreciation for an area, increasing social cohesion and even reducing crime.
The plants will be playing a role in improving air quality whether they are growing on the ground or up a wall.
With greater recognition of the value of green space, green walls are becoming increasingly important in playing a very significant role in providing green space in an otherwise concrete jungle – both indoors and out.
In Australia and overseas, having a green wall in a building will contribute to gaining a green rating for that building, which in turn can see higher financial returns on rent or sale.
There are of course some down sides to green walls. They are both more expensive to establish and more expensive to maintain than conventional green space. Greater care needs to be taken when choosing appropriate plants for the situation to ensure success of the green wall as it is a harsher environment than a garden bed tends to be.
Most city councils around Australia are starting to incorporate green walls into their overall greening policies, in spite of these additional costs. When the value of land area in a city is incorporated into the cost analysis, the green wall starts to really stack up.
Councils are also increasingly aware of the difficult to measure value of green space to the health and wellbeing of residents and workers. One report has indicated that up to 2 hectares of suitable external wall area currently exists in Melbourne which could host green walls.
This area of conventional green space is not available so it would seem that green walls (and green roofs) are not only a logical but also perhaps an essential component to increasing green space in our concrete cities.
On a domestic scale, green walls are usually fairly small. Many different DIY systems are readily available to home gardeners. They do certainly play a role in increasing available garden space, especially for people living in units without access to ground area, or the increasingly common very small suburban blocks which do not have much in the way of garden space.
In this situation even a small green wall can play a very significant role in giving a person (s) access to green space within their living environment. These domestic green walls may not be making any significant contribution to overall green space of a city, but they are making a huge contribution to that person’s quality of life.
If you are considering a green wall for your home, it may pay to consult with a professional, or do your research to ensure you choose the right set up for you and the most suitable plants for your green wall.
Domestic systems are often less complex than the large green walls on the sides of buildings, and do not always include watering systems so care needs to be taken to ensure hardy and appropriate plants are used.
This may include ferns, bromeliads or hardy indoor foliage plants, like Little Phil™ Philodendron species ‘PHIL01’ PBR in a shady location or very hardy plants for a sunny spot.
Worth considering for green walls large or small are plants including compact forms of Liriopes such as Pink Pearl™ Liriope muscari ‘VS0001’ PBR, Amethyst™ Liriope muscari ‘LIRTP’ PBR or Just Right® Liriope muscari ‘LIRJ’ PBR.
Compact Lomandras, such as Shara™ Lomandra fluvialtilis ‘ABU7’ PBR, and Tanika® Lomandra longifolia ‘LM300’ PBR do exceptionally well, and the beautiful weeping foliage of Tropic Cascade™ Lomandra hystrix ‘LHWP’ PBR is a real stand out in a green wall.
Plants with variegated foliage, such as Silverlawn™ Liriope muscari ‘LIRSS’ PBR or Lucky Stripe Lomandra hystrix ‘LMV200’ PBR will provide a slight colour contrast, but for an even bigger burst of colour you may want to add some red and purple foliage plants.
If you are looking for something a little different for your green wall you may want to consider Westringias such as Grey Box™ Westringia fruticosa ‘WES04’ PBR that has beautiful grey foliage and white flowers, and is drought and wet feet tolerant, or perhaps Mundi™ Westringia fruticosa ‘WES05’ PBR, a low growing ground cover form that grows well in green walls.
Having more plants providing green space in your life seems to be a very positive thing – whether they are growing in the ground or on a wall.
Be sure to always select plants that will work well in your region. For a list of our Top 10 Green Wall plants for your state or region Click Here.
Katika makala hii, tutajifunza kuhusu mimea hii ya kipekee, jinsi ya kuitunza, na jinsi ya kuitumia katika bustani yako. Naam, hebu tuangalie swali hilo. Kwanza tunahitaji kuwa wazi <unk> ukuta kijani ina maana moja kufunikwa na mimea hai, si ukuta rangi ya kijani! Wazo la ukuta wa kijani linapendwa sana katika nyakati za karibuni. Mimea ambayo ilianza kama mapinduzi makubwa ya uundaji wa bustani sasa inapatikana kwa wakulima wa nyumbani katika fomu ya kit na hufanya maonyesho ya kawaida kwenye programu za ukarabati wa TV. Kwa ufafanuzi, ukuta wa kijani ni nafasi yoyote ya wima ambayo ina mimea ikikua wima kwenye uso. Inaweza kuwa rahisi kama mzabibu kukua juu ya ukuta, au kama tata kama mfululizo mkubwa wa mimea ya kupanda imewekwa upande wa majengo ya juu, na mifumo ya umwagiliaji kamili. Kuwa na nafasi ya kijani ni jambo la maana. Kwa kuwa ardhi inapatikana inakuwa bidhaa yenye thamani sana katika miji yetu, ni kidogo na kidogo ni wakfu kwa nafasi ya kijani - ambayo ni, kukua nyasi, miti au mimea. Hilo limesababisha kile kinachoitwa athari ya kisiwa cha joto. Matokeo ya kisiwa cha joto ni hali ambayo misingi ya saruji, bitumen na nyuso ngumu katika miji na maeneo yaliyojengwa huchukua na kushikilia joto, na kufanya maeneo haya kuwa moto zaidi ya 3oC wakati wa mchana kuliko maeneo ya asili ya karibu na joto zaidi ya 12oC wakati wa usiku. Hii ni muhimu kwa kuwa kiasi kidogo cha joto la hewa ya ziada inaweza kuongeza gharama za baridi ndani ya jengo kwa kiasi cha 10%, na kuchangia mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa kupitia si tu kuongezeka kwa joto la hewa, lakini pia kuongezeka kwa matumizi ya nishati. Maeneo ya kijani huonwa kuwa muhimu katika kupunguza athari ya kisiwa cha joto. Wakati miti ni mara nyingi kuonekana kama coolers muhimu zaidi kijani kutokana na kivuli wao kutoa, mimea mingine na hata lawns inaweza kucheza jukumu muhimu sana katika kupunguza joto mazingira hewa - wao kufanya hivyo kwa si kunyonya na re-release kiasi kikubwa cha joto njia saruji hufanya, na pia kupitia mchakato wa asili ya evapotranspiration (maji transpired kutoka majani baridi hewa kama evaporates). Maeneo ya kijani yameonyeshwa kuwa na athari nzuri sana kwa afya ya mwili na akili ya watu na ustawi wa kijamii ndani ya jamii. Ingawa hakuna ubishi kuhusu thamani ya nafasi ya kijani kibichi, ni wapi pa kuifunga wakati nafasi ni ya juu inakuwa tatizo. Kuta za kijani ni suluhisho la kimantiki, lakini je, zinahesabiwa kuwa nafasi ya kijani? Kwa hakika kuta za kijani-kibichi hutimiza mambo mengi yanayohitajiwa katika eneo la kijani-kibichi. Mimea hutoa athari ya baridi kupitia evapotranspiration na kwa kivuli kuta za jengo. Kuwa katika uwepo wa mimea huwa na kuboresha hali ya watu ambayo husaidia katika kuboresha afya ya akili <unk> watu kama kuangalia mimea. Kwa kutoa nafasi ya kuvutia, watu huwa na kuonyesha heshima kubwa na uthamini kwa eneo, kuongeza mshikamano wa kijamii na hata kupunguza uhalifu. Mimea hiyo itasaidia kuboresha hali ya hewa, iwe inakua ardhini au kwenye ukuta. Pamoja na utambuzi mkubwa wa thamani ya nafasi ya kijani, kuta kijani zinakuwa muhimu zaidi katika kucheza jukumu muhimu sana katika kutoa nafasi ya kijani katika msitu wa saruji - ndani na nje. Katika Australia na nje ya nchi, kuwa na ukuta wa kijani katika jengo kunachangia kupata kiwango cha kijani kwa jengo hilo, ambalo kwa upande wake linaweza kuona mapato ya kifedha ya juu juu ya kukodisha au kuuza. Bila shaka kuna mambo fulani yasiyofaa kuhusu kuta za kijani kibichi. Ni gharama kubwa zaidi kuanzisha na gharama kubwa zaidi kudumisha kuliko nafasi ya kijani ya kawaida. Utafiti zaidi unahitaji kuchukuliwa wakati wa kuchagua mimea sahihi kwa hali hiyo ili kuhakikisha mafanikio ya ukuta wa kijani kama ni mazingira magumu kuliko kitanda cha bustani. Miji mingi ya Australia inaanza kuingiza kuta za kijani kibichi katika sera zao za kijani kibichi, licha ya gharama hizi za ziada. Wakati thamani ya eneo la ardhi katika mji ni kuingizwa katika uchambuzi wa gharama, ukuta kijani huanza kweli stack up. Mipango ya kijani pia inaonekana kuwa na athari kubwa kwa afya na ustawi wa wakazi. Ripoti moja imeonyesha kuwa hadi hekta mbili za eneo la ukuta wa nje unaofaa kwa sasa zipo huko Melbourne ambazo zinaweza kuwa na kuta za kijani. Kwa sababu ya hali ya hewa ya kawaida, ukuta wa kijani (na paa la kijani) sio tu ya kimantiki, lakini pia ni sehemu muhimu ya kuongeza nafasi ya kijani katika miji yetu ya saruji. Katika kiwango cha nyumbani, kuta za kijani kwa kawaida ni ndogo sana. Mifumo mingi tofauti ya DIY inapatikana kwa urahisi kwa wakulima wa nyumbani. Kwa kweli, ni muhimu kwa kuongeza nafasi ya bustani, hasa kwa watu wanaoishi katika vitengo bila upatikanaji wa ardhi, au kwa ajili ya makazi ya kawaida ya vitongoji vidogo sana ambavyo havina nafasi ya bustani. Katika hali hii hata ukuta mdogo wa kijani unaweza kucheza jukumu muhimu sana katika kutoa mtu (s) upatikanaji wa nafasi ya kijani ndani ya mazingira yao ya kuishi. Kuta za kijani za ndani zinaweza kuwa hazifanyi mchango wowote mkubwa kwa nafasi ya kijani ya jumla ya jiji, lakini zinachangia sana ubora wa maisha ya mtu huyo. Ikiwa unafikiria ukuta wa kijani kwa nyumba yako, inaweza kulipa kushauriana na mtaalamu, au kufanya utafiti wako ili kuhakikisha unachagua seti sahihi kwako na mimea inayofaa zaidi kwa ukuta wako wa kijani. Mifumo ya ndani ni mara nyingi chini ya ngumu kuliko kuta kubwa ya kijani upande wa majengo, na si daima ni pamoja na mifumo ya umwagiliaji maji hivyo tahadhari lazima kuchukuliwa kuhakikisha hardy na mimea sahihi ni kutumika. Mimea ya ndani ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea ya mimea. Kwa ajili ya ukuta wa kijani, kuna aina kadhaa za Liriope, kama vile Pink Pearl, Amethyst, Liriope muscari, Liriope muscari, Liriope muscari, Liriope muscari, Liriope muscari, Liriope muscari. Lomanandra fluvial (S. ab. fluvialis) na Lomanandra longifolia (T. longifolia) hufaulu sana, na majani mazuri ya Tropical Cascade (L. hystrix) ni ya kipekee katika ukuta wa kijani. Mimea yenye majani mengi, kama vile Silverlawn, Liriope muscari, Lirsa, au Lucky Stripe, L. m. l. histricus, L. m. l. m. l. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. m. Kwa mfano, unaweza kutumia mimea ya Westringia, kama vile Grey Box, ambayo ina majani ya kijivu na maua meupe, na ni mvua na mvua ya miguu, au labda Westringia Mundi, ambayo ni aina ya chini ya ukuaji wa ardhi ambayo inakua vizuri katika kuta za kijani. Kuwa na mimea zaidi kutoa nafasi ya kijani katika maisha yako inaonekana kuwa jambo chanya sana <unk> kama wao ni kukua katika ardhi au juu ya ukuta. Hakikisha kwamba sikuzote unachagua mimea itakayotumika vizuri katika eneo lako. Kwa orodha ya mimea yetu ya juu ya 10 ya ukuta wa kijani kwa jimbo lako au mkoa Bonyeza hapa.