Živá fasáda aneb jak na vertikální zahradu

What should we imagine under the term "living facade"?

Under the term "living facade," you can imagine a facade that breathes, changes with the seasons, and offers a new view every day.

When I want to have it on my house, what should I do?

On your part, it's important to ensure access to electricity and water. We will take care of the implementation.

How does it work?

The Vertical Cascade Garden consists of a system of cases and flowerpots interconnected with each other. This entire system is then installed on the facade.

I have the system installed, now it's time for the plants. How should I choose them?

It's the same as with any other outdoor garden. You need to consider the cardinal directions and ideally choose plants suitable for our climate conditions. Suitable options include bergenia or heuchera. We can also incorporate various types of grasses into the entire system.

How about maintenance? Do the grasses need to be cut or trimmed in any way?

The advantage over indoor Vertical Cascade Gardens is that we strive to make these outdoor gardens as low-maintenance as possible. If your system contains a larger quantity of grasses, you'll need to change all the grasses once a year. However, if you opt for perennials, you'll need to trim them two to three times a year and remove dry leaves.

You mentioned a low-maintenance garden. From my own experience, I know that it is almost impossible to achieve. How about watering, for example?

Watering is automatic. The system is connected to the water supply, and there are sensors throughout that monitor the water level, so you don't have to water anything manually. Everything is controlled automatically.

And do I have to have that watering there, or can I decide to water it myself?

You must have a water supply. Without it, it won't work, and that wall would dry out very quickly. Especially if you have grass there – it requires a constant supply of moisture.

I usually fertilize plants in the garden. Do I need to fertilize them here too?

You don't have to, but it's better. An additional device can be installed in the whole system, which pumps nutrients into the garden.

How do I continue to care for the plants in the fall, winter, and then in the spring?

From autumn to spring, the Vertical Cascade Garden is "put to sleep". It loses its color, turns brown, but there is no other work or concern with it.

Is it also a thermal insulator? Because after all, it's another layer on the facade. Does it provide any thermal comfort?

The depth of the entire system is about 20 cm. It adds a certain level of insulation to the facade, both in winter and on hot summer days.

I know these walls on large facades, mostly on banks or office buildings. When I have a smaller facade at home, can I put it on a really small wall?

You can. One of the advantages of the whole system is its variability, which allows for creating gardens of different sizes.

For more information about vertical cascade gardens, visit www.nemec.eu.