Add Green to Tight Spaces by Going Vertical

What is a Vertical Garden?

Also called living walls or green walls, vertical gardens are typically mounted on the interior or exterior walls of buildings, and occasionally on fences. Vertical planters vary widely in size, shape, scope, and technology. However, each is beautiful and functional, providing a refreshing green backdrop that offers all the benefits of nature, even to spaces once totally devoid of life. This allows for the incorporation of an amazingly green outdoor living space to nearly any location. And the benefits don’t just stop at looks. A growing practice in the green building arena, vertical gardens reduce the heat island effect, decrease noise pollution, improve air quality, and provide opportunities as a food resource.

What Kind of Plants Can You Add to a Vertical Garden?

People tend to be pleasantly surprised by the variety of plants compatible with vertical gardening. But you can’t just toss any old plant into vertical garden setups. Like your family members, each plant variety is most comfortable in a specific climate. When deciding among plants to incorporate into your design to enhance your pergola-covered patio, sun exposure, watering needs, and clearance are important things to keep in mind. Once your adjustable aluminum pergola is installed, will your vertical garden reside primarily in the sun, partial sun, or shade most of the day? Will you leave the 170-degree adjustable louvers of your pergola open or closed in your absence? Choosing plants compatible with available sun and seasonal temperature shifts is key to success. With less dirt, and more exposure to wind and sunlight, drip irrigation is also highly-recommend to meet watering needs. In addition, it is essential to consider plant growth. Massively bushing behemoths and crazy climbers could both interfere with the motor, louvers, and rain/wind sensors of your adjustable aluminum pergola and are best avoided.

Best Plants for Pergola-Side Vertical Gardens

• Sun
  • Geranium
  • Petunias
  • Rock Rose
  • Dichondra
  • Baby’s Tears
  • Chili Plants
  • Sempervivum
  • Sedum
  • Blue Fescue & Blue Oat Grass
• Partial Sun (less than ½ day of summer sun)
  • Lipstick Plant
  • Sweet Alyssum
  • Pothos
  • Aloe
  • Bugle Plant
  • Elephant Ears
  • Coral Bells
• Shade (less than 3 hours of direct sunlight; typically morning light)
  • Ferns (most varieties)
  • Hostas
  • English Ivy
  • Staghorn Fern
  • Peace Lily
  • Violets
  • Bromeliads
  • Dracaenas
  • Crotons

Looking to Eat Out of Your Garden?

• Sun
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Strawberries
  • Basil
  • Thyme
  • Sage
  • Oregano
  • Coriander
  • Chives
  • Marjoram
• Partial Sun (less than ½ day of summer sun)
  • Lettuce
  • Spinach
  • Kale
  • Parsley
• Shade (less than 3 hours of direct sunlight; typically morning light)
  • Mint Varieties
  • Watercress
  • Sorrel
  • Lemon Balm
  • Thai Basil

Think the possibility of a beautiful outdoor space in a barren backyard is a pie in the sky fantasy? See your outdoor space in a different light! Contact StruXure Denver today.

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