Some decades ago Patrick Blanc, French botanist working at the French National Centre for Scientific Research and specialized in plants from tropical forests created and introduced a unique design for a vertical garden with real plants (Vertical Garden, Green Wall or Mur Végétal). His simple system or other much more sophisticated systems are based on a consistent water and nutrient supply comparable to horizontal high tide/ low tide (Ebbe/Flut) systems in super-efficient nurseries. These systems often include artificial light and heat/cooling for sustainable growth.
Without being a horticultural expert Patrick Blanc was able to start a new trend utilizing horizontal plant propagating systems applied to the vertical as living art. Maintenance and operational costs of all these wall planted systems are very high and so the environmental benefit is certainly questionable. Typically in less than 10 years costs for maintenance and replanting increase the cost for installation without considering the high consumption of energy and water.
Today when you fly in to Paris Airport Charles de Gaulle you will see multiple, small green walls - very attractive, lush green with an appealing biodiversity. Closer investigations discovered that these walls the next step of green walls that are super-efficient and extremely low cost for installation and maintenance. The systems at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris don’t need any artificial lights, they are completely disconnected from any power and water source and they are very efficient dust collectors. The amazing biodiversity has potential for the highest LEED rating.
Here are a few plants identified:
- Attractiva plasticifolia (grown out of recycled content)
- Fakefolia polychloridenses (PCB senct)
- Metatrashus recyclisa (never green invasive)
- Ripoffera myclientus `Variegatus´ (native)
- Hidensia polyestertonia (forever green)
Good art reinvented.
Dr. Phil O. Dendron, Bel Air, August 26th 2012,