Lumber edging provides sturdy support for the bubble wrap, keeping it in place during high winds. Radiating building warmth provides just enough heat in the planted area to keep it from freezing. The system provides a mini greenhouse to give the plants warmth and light for minimal photosynthesis during their dormant stage.The environmental qualities achieved by cladding walls with plants are somewhat similar to those of a planted roof, with increased wind and rain protection, extra thermal insulation and sound insulation, and better air quality. Bubblewrap makes a compact insulated greenhouse If it’s out on it’s own or mounted to a super-insulated house you’ll need to add some warmth.ĭuring the most frigid winter in years, this monumental living wall is surviving with a clever frost protection method in Cleveland’s Hingetown neighborhood. If it’s against an existing interior wall then it will get just enough heat from the house to keep it warm and just above freezing. When You’re Expecting a freeze, cover your vertical garden with lightweight plastic sheeting. Cover your Vertical Garden with Clear Plastic Florafelt Pockets can allow for many interpretations. This is a great opportunity for local creative talent to express artful designs throughout the year. In winter season the pockets can be filled or covered up with holiday themed seasonal decorations. The downside is the additional energy required.Ī more community inclusive and ecological option is to get the on-site gardening team or outside creative garden service to plant flowering annuals each spring to create a colorful display for most of the year. Another option is to run radiant heat tubing behind the wall to add a bit of warmth during freezing temperatures. One method includes the use of halogen up-lighting at the base of the wall to provide extra warmth during the coldest periods. There are solutions that add warmth to the living wall. There can be some dieback, that is expected. Some great examples of plants that can survive freezing: Conifers, heuchera, japanese feather grass, ivy, various year round perennials, hellebores. In winter plants will go dormant or may freeze so there may be replacements in spring. Perennials and conifers will be your best performers in cold weather.
The Florafelt Living Walls themselves are made from PET plastics that can withstand below freezing temperatures. Can living walls tolerate freezing weather?įlorafelt Pocket Panels can be used seasonally and stored for winter or you can create a winter cover that includes lights to keep the temperature high enough to keep the plants safe from frost. Grasses will fill in nicely then die back each year which can be trimmed back and will often reseed themselves. Save money by starting with seeds and include annuals with lots of bright floral color. You can simply plan on planting fresh plants every spring. Some climates are just too harsh to practically keep a plant while alive. Incandescent or metal halide lights make just enough heat that will rise upward on the wall to keep plants nice and cozy. UplightingĪdding up lights at the base of the garden not only looks amazing but can also provide just enough heat to keep the plants happy during the frosty months. Alternatively hot water tubing can be run behind the wall and connected to an existing interior hot water system. The system can be automated to come on by thermostat as needed.
This internal heating system can keep it warm when temperatures drop below freezing. Add Heating Elements Behind the Living WallĮlectrical elements can be installed behind the vertical garden before the system goes up.
These can be easily draped over the plant wall to keep it warm through the coldest days. Also available are netted Christmas lights that come in a sheet. Incandescent Christmas lights emit just enough heat to keep the frost away. Here are some ways to protect your vertical garden from frost and freezing. Harsh winters can be hard on outdoor plant walls.
Architect Marika Shiori-Clark’s Living Wall Bursts With Life for Cleveland’s Hingetown Neighborhood