© Joseph Myschshyn (Licensed under CC BY 2.0). Kindly recommended by UKCEH.
The following is a short summary of the habitat type and how to create/enhance it to a "good" condition. For an informed position, please refer to official up-to-date Government guidance or the UK Government's Condition Assessment Sheet.
🔺 IMPORTANT
This habitat will require you to enter how high it is.
You should make sure that the plant's roots are in the ground. If they are not, you should use Urban - Facade-based green wall
The design and management of green walls will have specific competency requirements which should be demonstrated where these habitats are targeted in the SSM.
Synonyms: Green façades
Description: Green wall composed of ground-based climbing plants intended for ornamental and sometimes food production purposes. In a ground-based green wall, the plants are rooted in the ground and use the building facade as a support structure to climb up. This type of green wall often includes climbing plants like Ivy (Hedera helix) that can attach themselves to surfaces or be guided along structures. The main source of nutrients and water for these plants is the soil in which they are planted at the base of the wall.
If you wish to select this habitat on a habitat selection screen, it can be found under Urban (see guide).
These are traditional green walls where climbing plants are rooted into the ground. Climbing plants may be grown directly onto the building façade or be trained against wires or trellises. Green façades may take some time to mature (source: Natural England)
Note that it is important to take account of aspect and shade when choosing plants (source: Natural England)
Assessment Questions
Are the plants rooted to the soil?
Are the plants grown directly onto the building façade or be trained against wires or trellises?
If YES, then it is likely 'Urban - Facade-bound green wall'. If the plants are rooted in the soil then it may be 'Urban - Ground-based Green Wall'.
How to Create / Enhance to a "Good" condition
How to create
Please refer to the Green Infrastructure Standards. Note that it may not be appropriate to vegetate the façades of historic buildings. Any attachments to external walls, including green walls, should be considered as part of a fire risk assessment and specialist advice on fire risk should be sought.
You may wish to consult this guide for information.
How to get a "moderate" rating
At least two of the following will be true:
Vegetation structure will be varied, providing opportunities for vertebrates and invertebrates to live, eat and breed. A single structural habitat component or vegetation type does not account for more than 80% of the total habitat area.
The habitat parcel will contain different plant species that benefit wildlife. For example, flowering species provide nectar sources for a range of invertebrates at different times of year.
Invasive non-native plant species (as listed on Schedule 9 of WCA1) and others which are to the detriment of native wildlife will cover less than 5% of the total vegetated area.
How to get a "good" rating
All three of the following will be true:
Vegetation structure will be varied, providing opportunities for vertebrates and invertebrates to live, eat and breed. A single structural habitat component or vegetation type does not account for more than 80% of the total habitat area.
The habitat parcel will contain different plant species that benefit wildlife. For example, flowering species provide nectar sources for a range of invertebrates at different times of year.
Invasive non-native plant species (as listed on Schedule 9 of WCA1) and others which are to the detriment of native wildlife will cover 0% of the total vegetated area.
Useful Resources
Guide 2 - Green Infrastructure Standards
Guide 3 - UK Guide to Green Walls
Please note that this is a simple guide to help identify the habitat. For a definitive description, please refer to UKHab documentation. Joe's Blooms takes no responsibility for the content of external links.