The Power of Plants

Living green walls add great visual appeal to an exterior space. However, the question is, how do we keep these lush vertical gardens permanently green? The answer lies in the plant selection. Thanks to their extensive knowledge of plants, Sempergreen’s experts select only the strongest perennial plant varieties for their SemperGreenwalls.

Sempergreen is an organization that constantly evolves. This is reflected in the planting of our green facades

Extensive Research into Climatic Conditions

“Sempergreen is an organization that constantly evolves. This is reflected in the planting of our green facades,” says Joep van Vilsteren, Program Director Sempergreen Services. “Prior to each new project, extensive research is conducted into the climatic conditions of the country, and into the plants that are suitable for that specific climate.” This kind of research is crucial for the success of a project. If the wrong plants are chosen for a project, they won’t thrive, or could even die, which would be disastrous for the project.

Choosing the Best Plants for Each Living Wall

“Knowing this, we’ve developed three standard assortments for different climate zones: the shadow, half shadow, and sun assortment. All three assortments have been thoroughly tested, and there is a wide variety of planting possible within these ranges. We also have to take into account that environmental factors, such as the influence of sea wind (salty air), play a role in the success or failure of an outdoor green wall. For example, for a project in Boston, MA, we have selected plants that can tolerate salty air, like dune plants and grasses.”

We ensure that the wall maintains a green appearance throughout the year!

“It’s also important that both hardy plants and evergreen plants are used to ensure that the facade maintains a green appearance throughout the year. And of course, your wishes as a customer are also taken into consideration when making the planting plan for a green wall. The quality of a SemperGreenwall is our calling card, so we leave nothing to chance.”

Outdoor wall specialist

The list of successful projects with our outdoor green walls is steadily growing. For instance, in Warsaw, Poland, which has an inland climate similar to Chicago and Toronto, Sempergreen has installed an outdoor SemperGreenwall that has already successfully weathered multiple winters. The company also installed several green facades in Canada and Sweden, both countries known for their severe winters. In addition to the high-quality requirements set by Sempergreen, aesthetics are, of course, also of paramount importance.

Proper maintenance is crucial for a green facade

To achieve the optimal result, pruning is necessary at least twice a year. Conversely, the unique Plant Care System diminishes maintenance needs by ensuring that the plants receive their daily nutrients and are protected against frost.

The combination of meticulous plant selection and the intelligent Plant Care System confirms that Sempergreen is the specialist to consult if you are interested in a green wall. Furthermore, Sempergreen offers a maintenance contract to ensure that your project remains sustainable, green, and appealing throughout the year.

Knowledge through experience

“You don’t become a plant expert overnight. We have encountered a few obstacles along the way before we reached the point where we can truly say that our plant knowledge is exceptional. Initially, we lacked the essential expertise concerning how plants would respond to extreme weather conditions. That is something we have gradually learned over the course of many years,” according to Van Vilsteren.