Making a vertical green wall on the balcony is the most creative and smart way to transform an anonymous space into a lush corner. You don’t need a garden: just choose the right plants and organize the space well.
That you want to give a touch of green to a terrace a little off or create a visual barrier between the balcony and the intrusive neighbor, the green wall always has a special charm. It is not just an aesthetic question: there are those who choose it to improve the microclimate, some to attract useful insects or simply to carve out a corner of nature. The choice of plants is all fuching. Better to avoid classic errors, such as putting all species at the same point without considering exposure or ignore the type of growth. So how to orient yourself among all the options?
To really start on the right foot, it is useful to think immediately on the supporting structure. Metal grids, recovery pallets, suspended planters, or technical fabric panels: each solution has pros and cons. What matters is to create a stable base and suitable for the type of plants you want to grow.
Which plants choose for a vertical green wall
In a self -respecting vertical wall, the keyword is resilience. The chosen plants must tolerate thermal changes, direct sun or prolonged shadow, and have a vertical or pending development. The ideal is to combine evergreen, climbing and aromatic species, to obtain a varied and lasting effect. Among the most common choices is the ivy, perfect for quickly covering the surfaces. The ferns instead give their best in shaded areas and immediately give an exotic touch. Those who live in mild areas can focus on Pothos and Philodendron, while those who prefer a fragrant corner can rely on rosemary, thyme and mint. For very sunny areas, fatty plants and sedums are ideal: they require little water and survive well even in difficult conditions.
An important agity is to evaluate the exposure well: south and west for sunburnt plants, north and east for those who prefer fresher environments. The height also counts: the lighter varieties go up, the heaviest ones below, so as not to overload the structure.
How to plan it and keep it
It is not enough to choose the right plants: you also need a careful design to obtain a harmonious result. And it is not said that large budgets or complicated tools are needed. Sometimes it is enough to observe the exposure of the balcony in the different hours of the day to understand how to better distribute plants. Even choosing different colors and heights can make a difference and add visual depth. Sometimes, smart ideas are enough and a little patience.
- Modular system: Modular panels with felt or plastic pockets are easy to install and very versatile.
- Irrigation: Better to opt for a drop, even homemade with a bottle, to guarantee constant humidity.
- Soil: light but rich, with good draining ability.
- Maintenance: prune regularly, remove dry leaves, check the stagnation.
And then you can dare with some personal touch: solar lights, small wooden sculptures, supports in natural materials. Everything contributes to giving character and making space unique.
Curious to know which combination works best in the hottest months? Often it is believed that it is enough to plant something and wait. In reality, it is necessary to balance between aesthetics and practicality. The too dense walls risk mold, those too escapes lose the wow effect. Better to mix plants with quick growth and other slower, so as to always guarantee a nice glance.
Ideas and inspirations for a dream green wall
The beauty of the green walls is that there is never the same as the other. There are those who transform them into a small urban vegetable garden, those who prefer the jungle effect with exotic plants, those who focus on colors and geometries. There is no fixed rule, and this is the beauty.
For example, you can combine aromatic plants and flowers For a beautiful and useful result, or alternate Evergreen and seasonal plants to obtain visual variations during the year. Another interesting idea is to use colored vases o transparent containersso as to add a touch of design even in small spaces.
And for those who have little time? No problem. There are simplified solutions with autoirrigent vessels, fatty plants and pre -assembled structures ready to hang. The secret is to start with few elements and add over time.
A green wall on the balcony is much more than a passing fashion: it is a way to breathe better, to live your space with more lightness and creativity.
And sometimes, even if only watching it can change the mood of a whole day.
Photo © Stock.adobe
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