Byron Douglas

The vertical walls based on hydroponics are fundamentally unsustainable.They rely on constant monitoring by humans, they are artificial lige supporting systems unless they are fully emulating conditions that exist in nature which is rare. Unless a system is developed that invites spontaneous colonisation by plants – like porous sponge ceramics or…[Read more]

The “felt” fabric. Blanc’s installations has two layers of fabric that he drips his water/fertilizer solution through. This is a non-soil installation. The plants root into the fabric and fed by the solution.

Hey Charles.. what do you mean by nonwoven material for a base? Are you referring to the waterproof backing or the felt?

Just a thought from Soil Science perspective on reducing the water requirements for any plant. Use lots of organic material and or peat moss around the plant,(not too much) and surround other areas with sand. Make sure the drip is going on the water holding material. Sand has the lowest affinity for water while clay has the highest and organic…[Read more]

Hello, Hope to exchange knowledge and experience. Regards to All. ümit harite from turkey

I’ve used a variety of green roof techniques which have been more or less successful. I’m gathering information about what folks have done with green walls, the materails they have used and their success. I’ve read quite a bit about Patrick Blanc’s work but keep wondering about maintenance and costs. I’m currently looking into the nonwoven…[Read more]

Charles, This is probably easier to deal with in Phoenix as most people don’t really expect anything to live here without water. Even natives. I don’t know how you can expect a plant that is used to regular and frequent irrigation at the grower, to suddenly become a plant that thrives with irregular and infrequent feeding.

Ya Bill, all I know is when a local suburban city requires the planting of natives in parking lot islands that get hammered by not only the heated asphalt but also the vehicle exhaust, I tend to shake my head. With pedestrians tromping through and no irrigation, it is just tough sledding. What we need is to educate the planners who write the…[Read more]

I Navid, the pine like plant looks like a grevilia flower. I’m not sure but it’s similar.

Ya Charles, all the natives around here grow in balls and cubes. You never have to water them and they never grow past the 3′ dia. ball or cube. They even flower in colors that contrast well with the building they are planted next to. I love natives. They’re truely the answer to all your sustainable dreams. You just need more experience, buddy.

We are being asked more and more to do less and less irrigation on our projects here in and around Seattle. One might think, “so what, it is always raining in Seattle.” This is not quite true. We have had a very dry summer here but we are only about an inch below average for the year. Many native and non native plants are suffering, and will not…[Read more]

Hi folks, it’s me on my lounge in Cairo, but active now in Abu Dhabi.
This is the place to try all this xerophytic plants and other material.
Whenever I come into a new arid area I try to studdy the the vegetation off the beaten tracks. Potential natural vegetation is the best indicator to meet climat and geology. We only (I guess that is the…[Read more]

Hello- I’m new to the group! Currently our LA firm has been dealing with the recent water restrictions- How do we (as Landscape Architects) get the word out that turf is no longer the San Diego landscape? We are in our 3rd consecutive year of drought and something has to change.

Hey Jason, looks like the department has decided to ask you to lecture this coming Fall. I know it seems like it has taken forever, and I apologize but we have been very busy restructuring our program and interviewing potential department heads. The good news is that they still want you to come and lecture and the program is doing great. I also…[Read more]

Thanks Jason. Will have to get hold of his new book as well.

Has anyone used epiphytes on green walls, and if so what success rate did you have. How did you attach them to the walls, simply on a wire trellis structure or did you use something more intricate – any info would be great!

i would research xeriscape plants – there are a bunch of native drought tolerant grasses and sedge that could work – Festuca glauca, Muhlenbergia c. …Also some hardy vines like Wisteria or Honeysuckle or Grape – Sedum, Yucca and Agave of course…and you realize this as you mention succulents…Rosemary var., Erigeron, Gaura, Salvia varieties…[Read more]

Hello, Hope to exchange knowledge and experience. Regards to All. Ahmad