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Monday, May 9, 2011

Semiahmoo Library Green Wall

I recently was in White Rock, BC visiting my sister-in-law.  We were driving by the library and she stopped to show me their green wall. 



According to the write-up in the library, the wall is nearly 3000 square feet in area and is covered with over 10,000 plants that include more than 120 species.


Since they had snow several times this winter and it has been a cool spring not all the plants are growing yet.


From what I could see of the plants that had started to grow, they have chosen a wide variety of textures, colours and shapes.


This is a view of the wall from the back of the building facing the front.




 Here we have a similar view except we are at the front facing back.


The plants include ground covers, large perennials, shrubs and even small trees.


The green wall is a self-sufficient vertical garden planted in a structural support and attached to the building.


 It is soil-free and the plants receive nutrients and moisture from within the structure.




There are many native BC plants on the wall as well as herbs, berries, and of course flowers.


The wall is the largest and most biologically diverse green wall in North America.


The wall was completed in the fall of 2010 so should show its true colours this spring and summer.


The photos do not do this massive green wall justice.  It truly needs to be seen to be appreciated.



6 comments:

  1. I love it, looks great and thanks so much for taking the photos and sharing.
    Betty

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  2. Wow, I've never seen anything like it before. It's beautiful. I bet you don't see an inch of wall space once it hits full bloom.

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  3. How wonderful! I hope this catches on!

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  4. Passing thru...wow , what a beautiful
    image... no graffiti , no signs, no mess. Life at its Best. Thanks for
    the memory ....on the way with rick

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  5. It's so beautiful! But doesn't tell how it can destroy all the walls like ivy and destroy the historical stucture of the buildings that are just as important for historical and memory sake.

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    1. The plants are not attached to the wall like ivy, they grow in a vertical structure kind of thing. I also don't think they would use it on historical buildings as you couldn't see the brick/stone work on the building. I think it is great on newish buildings that are basically boxes.

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