The greening of the landscape industry has offered many new concepts and tools. This year green roofs and vertical gardens or living walls have been getting a lot of press. When I went to the CLCA Landscape Industry Show recently, I found a booth set up by ‘Bright Green’ where I was able to see the materials and some sample designs in action. I have to say that the demonstrations were even more interesting than the few photo examples I’ve seen on the internet. And looking at the structures up close and personal gave me a chance to see just how easy they would be to assemble my own living wall systems and green roof technology.

It is fascinating to see how the ancient concept of roofing with green, living materials has evolved. Current kits allow you to roof a shed, patio cover or any other structure roof with trays that are a variation of the 6-packs you see sold with flowers and vegetables. A rubber liner will protect the roof itself over which is placed a container system that makes provisions for water to drain away. Nothing could be more natural. Yet with clever planting the roof can become not only excellent insulation, but downright artistic.

The same concept is used for creating living walls. Vertical gardening can be used to divide spaces on your patio or garden, to create passageways, to block unwanted views or to disguise ugly walls. The walls can be designed in artistic patterns or even pictures. Check out the video below to see some of the basics offered by ‘Bright Green’. Maybe you’ll find yourself inspired to add a living wall system or some green roof technology to your own garden. And you aren’t limited to using these ideas exclusively in the landscape. You can plant a vertical living wall garden with indoor plants to add a beautiful conversation piece to your interior living space, too.