The Vertical Green Wall Race

Vertical wall used to hide renovations in Taipei Airport

The still standing vertical wall in last year's Flora Expo

Lovely shade tolerant green wall

Selection of interior suitable plants

It seems here in the Metro Manila, we are way behind in the vertical green wall race. Green wall has been here, available locally for quite some time but Pinoys seem to be hesitant in using it, or probably ignorant that it exists. I don't know of any local development that notably made use of it. Come to think of it, I don't know any notable suppliers for the system. 

Green walls create more interesting textures

Colorful logo stands out on the green wall

Living wall makes an interesting entry

In neighboring Taiwan, the presence of the new technology in and around the city of Taipei is very noticeable.  The plain and bare public walls and spaces are stacked up with the upright plastic potting system and transforms boring surfaces into living walls of varying shades and textures of green. Designs could be very artistic and even surprising.

Collectible Hoya could be used

Rhoeo, Setcreasea and Cryptanthus provide color

The green walls are also used as ephemeral aesthetic elements. Construction sites are covered with vertical living wall systems to temporarily hide the blight created. In the international airport, long stretches of renovation are covered with plywood and covered with a wall of familiar ornamental plants like ferns, Dracaena, Philodendron and even Hoya. The street vertical walls utilized species which are very much available in local Philippine nurseries like Japanese bush (Phyllanthus myrtifolius), miagos (Osmoxylon) and golden duranta (Duranta repens var.). 

The green wall arouses interest of bored passengers waiting for their flights

Artists could be a littleplayful with designs and application

We do have the plants necessary to create a successful vertical wall system. We just have to speed up on learning more about green walls and maybe gain in on our Asian neighbors in the use of this new landscape technology!