GREEN WALL KNOW-HOW

Keeping the plants healthy:

It’s a challenge on a balcony like this that’s exposed to sun, salt and wind. So the green wall contains specialised technology that allows it to be watered three times a day and fed twice. Green walls must be kept very wet to be successful, so most use hydroponic technology.

To give the illusion of depth and bulk:

A handcrafted gabion wall, filled with carefully selected pumice – big enough to ensure the pieces didn’t fall out – was added to increase the garden’s weighty appearance. The wall is filled with a lightweight material topped with bark and topsoil.

For safety’s sake:

The gabion wall has been created with vertical metal struts, rather than the traditional square pattern, so children can’t climb it.

Plant variety:

Green walls can hold a huge variety of plants. Due to the harsh conditions here, hardy plants were chosen – rengarenga lilies, mondo grass, white rata and colocasia .