© Evelyn Simak (Licensed under CC BY 2.0). Kindly recommended by UKCEH.
Synonyms: Living Walls
Plants growing in façade-bound substrate such as containers or textile systems. In a facade-bound green wall, the plants are not rooted in the ground but instead grow in a substrate that is attached to the facade itself, such as containers or textile systems. This method does not rely on the plants’ ability to climb but on a structure that holds the plants and substrate directly against the wall. The plants receive their nutrients and water from the substrate system installed on the wall, which often includes an integrated irrigation system.
Living walls are proprietary systems, often installed and maintained as a package. Textile, plastic, and metal modules are used to provide pockets, boxes or troughs that support plants. Some systems are substrate-based whilst others are hydroponic (without soil), with water held in the living wall by fabrics, mineral wool, or foam. Living walls are usually irrigated, normally with the use of pumps that are activated by timers. There are also examples of passive living walls (or vertical rain gardens) where water wicks into planters from tanks that collect rainwater (source: Natural England)
Living walls can work well where high visual impact or highly diverse planting is sought, or where high evaporative cooling is an objective. Maintaining intensive green walls can be expensive, because several maintenance visits each year are recommended and specialist access equipment may be required. Monitoring of irrigation is advised, so that prompt action can be taken to rectify faults or interruptions in water supply. Green façades that use climbing plants may be more suitable if there are constraints on resources or management regimes cannot be assured in the long term (source: Natural England)
Assessment Questions:
Are the plants rooted on façade-bound substrate such as containers or textile systems?
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
⚠️ Important Note
The design and management of green walls will have specific competency requirements which should be demonstrated where these habitats are targeted in the SSM.
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" or "good" rating
There are three tests:
- Vegetation structure is 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 contains different plant species that are beneficial for wildlife, for example flowering species providing nectar sources for a range of invertebrates at different times of year.
- Invasive non-native plant species and others which are to the detriment of native wildlife (using professional judgement) cover less than 5% of the total vegetated area (must be 0% to get a 'Good' rating).
If you pass all 3 tests and have 0% on the third test, the condition is 'good'.
If you pass 2 tests, or pass 3 tests but don't get 0% on the third test, the condition is 'moderate'
If you pass 1 or less tests the condition is 'poor'
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.