Outdoor Fix-Ups: Setting Up a Vertical Garden
While a high-tech vertical garden is complex to produce, here are some more simplified versions that can liven up your back wall or fence
Vertical gardens are all the rage at the moment and some of the more extravagant examples can look like a rainforest on a wall. However, there’s a simple way to obtain the vertical garden feel that’s an easy DIY project. Simply hook up a vertical frame and use pot plants to create an awesome effect. There are many different options to try, see some of them below…
Fancy fence
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: An iron frame and pot plants.
HOW TO: Give a plain wooden fence a makeover by converting it into a vertical garden. This works particularly well when you are looking out at the ‘back’ side of the fence (where the rails are). The iron frame work (seen here) – or something similar – is available at most large hardware stores. The pots are simply positioned in the frame (suspended from the lip of the pot) to create a beautiful green wall. Water the plants as normal and ensure they get plenty of sun.
AVERAGE TIME: Two hours.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: An iron frame and pot plants.
HOW TO: Give a plain wooden fence a makeover by converting it into a vertical garden. This works particularly well when you are looking out at the ‘back’ side of the fence (where the rails are). The iron frame work (seen here) – or something similar – is available at most large hardware stores. The pots are simply positioned in the frame (suspended from the lip of the pot) to create a beautiful green wall. Water the plants as normal and ensure they get plenty of sun.
AVERAGE TIME: Two hours.
In the frame
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: A small metal frame and pot plants.
HOW TO: A plain brick wall is transformed into something special with the addition of these ‘floating’ pot plants. Perfect for smaller spaces, this metal frame is available at most hardware stores or nurseries. Positioning the pots in checkerboard formation adds balance to the display.
AVERAGE TIME: 1 hour.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: A small metal frame and pot plants.
HOW TO: A plain brick wall is transformed into something special with the addition of these ‘floating’ pot plants. Perfect for smaller spaces, this metal frame is available at most hardware stores or nurseries. Positioning the pots in checkerboard formation adds balance to the display.
AVERAGE TIME: 1 hour.
Free form
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: An electric drill, masonry bit, masonry bolts and a shifting spanner.
HOW TO: Mixing it up when it comes to plants and positioning adds a charming random element to vertical gardens. There’s no need to cover the entire wall – a few well-placed pots can work extremely well. Here, the vine, floor plant and half-dozen scattered wall pots balance each other beautifully. The ornate metal pot holders are affixed to the brick wall with a masonry bolt in each top corner.
AVERAGE TIME: 20 minutes each.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: An electric drill, masonry bit, masonry bolts and a shifting spanner.
HOW TO: Mixing it up when it comes to plants and positioning adds a charming random element to vertical gardens. There’s no need to cover the entire wall – a few well-placed pots can work extremely well. Here, the vine, floor plant and half-dozen scattered wall pots balance each other beautifully. The ornate metal pot holders are affixed to the brick wall with a masonry bolt in each top corner.
AVERAGE TIME: 20 minutes each.
Basket wall
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Wire containers, an electric drill, masonry screws and pot plants.
HOW TO: Sometimes the simple solutions are the best. A number of wire containers, available at any hardware or stationery store, are affixed to the wall with a small masonry screw. Matching pots are placed in the containers with a different plant growing in each. It looks random, elegant and balanced.
AVERAGE TIME: 10 minutes each.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Wire containers, an electric drill, masonry screws and pot plants.
HOW TO: Sometimes the simple solutions are the best. A number of wire containers, available at any hardware or stationery store, are affixed to the wall with a small masonry screw. Matching pots are placed in the containers with a different plant growing in each. It looks random, elegant and balanced.
AVERAGE TIME: 10 minutes each.
Tin trellis
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Metal trellis, bolts, a shifting spanner and hooked pots.
HOW TO: A simple solution creates a dramatic effect. Here, a metal trellis is bolted to a corrugated iron wall, on which the homeowner has created a vertical garden. The matching black plastic pots are simply hooked onto the trellis in a checkerboard pattern. The three varieties of plants make an eye-catching wall of green.
AVERAGE TIME: 2 hours.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Metal trellis, bolts, a shifting spanner and hooked pots.
HOW TO: A simple solution creates a dramatic effect. Here, a metal trellis is bolted to a corrugated iron wall, on which the homeowner has created a vertical garden. The matching black plastic pots are simply hooked onto the trellis in a checkerboard pattern. The three varieties of plants make an eye-catching wall of green.
AVERAGE TIME: 2 hours.
Iron curtain
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Vertical pot brackets, masonry bolts, an electric drill and a spanner.
HOW TO: This mismatched collection of plants and pots adds texture and beauty to a plain rendered wall. The metal pot holders have been placed so the two end units and the three centre units are level with one another. They are held up by masonry bolts and placed a little haphazardly to help break up the white expanse. A random collection of pots and plants finishes the look beautifully.
AVERAGE TIME: 2 hours.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Vertical pot brackets, masonry bolts, an electric drill and a spanner.
HOW TO: This mismatched collection of plants and pots adds texture and beauty to a plain rendered wall. The metal pot holders have been placed so the two end units and the three centre units are level with one another. They are held up by masonry bolts and placed a little haphazardly to help break up the white expanse. A random collection of pots and plants finishes the look beautifully.
AVERAGE TIME: 2 hours.
Ornamental aqua
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: An electric drill, masonry bolts, ornate brackets and gorgeous pots.
HOW TO: While the plants are an integral part of any vertical garden, the pots themselves can make a real statement too. These blue pointed pots have a Middle Eastern look to them, and the ornate wall brackets complement them perfectly. Each bracket is affixed to the wall with a masonry bolt to support the weight of the pot and plant. A nice touch was using the same plants along the entire row at each level.
AVERAGE TIME: 3 hours.
View these decorative outdoor garden features
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: An electric drill, masonry bolts, ornate brackets and gorgeous pots.
HOW TO: While the plants are an integral part of any vertical garden, the pots themselves can make a real statement too. These blue pointed pots have a Middle Eastern look to them, and the ornate wall brackets complement them perfectly. Each bracket is affixed to the wall with a masonry bolt to support the weight of the pot and plant. A nice touch was using the same plants along the entire row at each level.
AVERAGE TIME: 3 hours.
View these decorative outdoor garden features
Jungle walk
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: A felt pocket system, an electric drill, masonry bolts and a spanner.
HOW TO: You can attach the felt pocket system directly to the wall in two long rows to help blur the lines between plant, wall and containers. It’s almost like a riot of plants growing from a black recess in the wall. Using three or four species of plants gives the garden continuity and a pleasing randomness.
AVERAGE TIME: Half a day.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: A felt pocket system, an electric drill, masonry bolts and a spanner.
HOW TO: You can attach the felt pocket system directly to the wall in two long rows to help blur the lines between plant, wall and containers. It’s almost like a riot of plants growing from a black recess in the wall. Using three or four species of plants gives the garden continuity and a pleasing randomness.
AVERAGE TIME: Half a day.
The long game
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Rain gutters, an electric drill and masonry bolts.
HOW TO: There’s no need to limit your vertical garden to just pot plants. Here, oxidised copper gutter-like vessels serve as plant beds. Affixed to the wall with masonry bolts, the extra length allows for a little mix ’n’ match with the plants. As new growth trails down, the entire wall is softened and the vertical garden starts living up to its name.
AVERAGE TIME: A full day.
TELL US
Which is your favourite vertical garden? Tell us about it or upload a photo of your own handiwork in the Comments section below.
MORE
From the Pros: Expert Tips on Creating a Vertical Garden
Rise Up: 15 Vertical Gardens With a Creative Edge
10 Reasons to Love Vertical Gardens
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Rain gutters, an electric drill and masonry bolts.
HOW TO: There’s no need to limit your vertical garden to just pot plants. Here, oxidised copper gutter-like vessels serve as plant beds. Affixed to the wall with masonry bolts, the extra length allows for a little mix ’n’ match with the plants. As new growth trails down, the entire wall is softened and the vertical garden starts living up to its name.
AVERAGE TIME: A full day.
TELL US
Which is your favourite vertical garden? Tell us about it or upload a photo of your own handiwork in the Comments section below.
MORE
From the Pros: Expert Tips on Creating a Vertical Garden
Rise Up: 15 Vertical Gardens With a Creative Edge
10 Reasons to Love Vertical Gardens
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: PVC pipes and ends, an electric drill and masonry screws.
HOW TO: This inner-city rooftop barely has room for a table and chairs, so a vertical garden is the perfect way to add a little greenery. The large expanse of the brick wall is broken up nicely with pops of colour from various plants. The plants are supported in PVC piping cut at a 45-degree angle. These urban pot plants are affixed to the brick wall with a simple masonry screw.
AVERAGE TIME: 5 minutes each.
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