Discover how Sarah and Tony used a PlantBox living wall to transform their small patio into a welcoming, lush environment that they (and the cats) love to relax in and guests always gravitate towards.
Sarah and Tony have a small patio area they (and the cats) love to relax in and use when entertaining guests. After recently laying some smart floor tiles, they were left with a scruffy-looking boundary wall that faced their living room window. In Sarah’s words, the space desperately needed some TLC!
At first the couple considered cedar cladding, but they quickly realised what they really wanted was to maximise the greenery. So far they had only managed to squeeze a couple of planters into what was a fairly small space. As well as bringing more nature into the patio area, they also wanted to find a way to soften the wall above the corner seating.
After some research, Sarah and Tony opted for a PlantBox living wall due to its cleverly simple watering system and attachable irrigation system. They were delighted to discover the boundary wall could perfectly fit five PlantBoxes across—the perfect match!
Highlights
- Brings nature into a small urban space
- Creates a relaxing setting, perfect for entertaining guests
- Year-round colour and interest
- Boosts wellbeing and cleans the air
- 15 PlantBoxes — 60 plants
- Freestanding or mounted to walls, fences or railings
- Futureproof — can be moved or extended
- Watered by hand or irrigation system
- Only restraint fixings required
- Made in the UK from 100% materials
- 1% of sales pledged to environmental causes
Planting
Though the patio area is a suntrap and soaks up the sun during most of the day in the summer, the boundary wall is north-facing. Therefore the living wall would be sitting mostly in shade. Sarah and Tony wanted to create year-round colour and interest, so when it came to choosing their display they selected a mix of shade-tolerant plants, including lots of ornamental grasses and garden ferns.
Plant List
- Japanese sedge (Carex Oshimensis) ‘Everest’ and ‘Everlime’
- Heuchera ‘Apple Twist’
- English ivy
- Shield ferns (Polystichum) Neolobatum and Tsus-simense
- Bird’s nest fern
- Wood ferns (Dryopteris) Lepidopoda, Atrata and Erythrosora ‘Brilliance’
Sarah’s Comments
“PlantBox is easy to keep watered and the plants seem to be happy and growing incredibly well. Not only has it made the patio garden a welcoming and lush environment to sit with a glass of wine, it has also really brightened the view from our living room window. We especially love that when we’re sitting on the outdoor sofa, it gives a feeling of being enveloped by nature. Guests who visit us always gravitate to that spot!” — Sarah
About PlantBox
We understand that traditional gardening isn’t always possible. That’s where PlantBox comes in. Suitable indoors and outdoors, PlantBox allows you to grow large amounts of plants in the smallest of spaces. Visit the PlantBox page or see below for more information.
Say goodbye to daily watering
Each PlantBox has a water level indicator to show how thirsty your plants are and holds 1.8 litres of water, preventing water-wastage and the need for daily watering. Simply pour water into the top PlantBox and it will cascade into those below, filling up each 1.8 litre water reservoir as it goes. An inner wicking-felt lining then allows the plants to draw up water as and when they need it.
Eco-friendly and easy to assemble
A RHS Chelsea Sustainable Garden Product of the Year 2021 Finalist, PlantBox is made in the UK from 100% recycled materials and is designed to be lightweight, long-lasting and easy to assemble. Once clipped and stacked together, PlantBox can be left freestanding or mounted to a wall, fence or railings.
Suitable for a wide range of plants
Including foliage and flowering plants, perennials, grasses, fruits, vegetables and herbs. See also:
- Recommended plants
- The Ten Best Sun-loving Plants for a South-facing Garden
- The 10 Best Shade-happy Plants for a North-facing Garden
Looking for planting inspiration? Download our free Get The Look guide. We have carefully crafted 6 stunning and easy-to-achieve looks—displays designed to drop jaws and redesign any space—complete with plant lists and helpful tips.
Transforming more than one space
1% of PlantBox sales is pledged to 1% For The Planet, a global organisation that supports non-profits who are tackling our most pressing environmental issues. Find out more.
Other features
Versatile use. The compact size makes PlantBox ideal for homes, balconies, courtyards and gardens.
Instant impact. Once planted, PlantBox immediately transforms the space it occupies.
Futureproof. PlantBox is designed to be durable and reusable. The living wall can be unstacked and used again elsewhere.
Benefits
Reduce stress and improve wellbeing. Spending time around plants is proven to reduce stress, anxiety and depression. Read more.
A vertical allotment. PlantBox can be filled with home-grown fruits, vegetables and herbs—strawberries are a big favourite! It is a great way to save money, eat more nutritious foods and reduce carbon footprint. Read more.
Cleaner air. Plants have a massive impact on the air people breathe. They create cleaner, healthier air by absorbing high levels of pollutants, which they then turn into food. Read more.
Increase biodiversity. A living wall of plants increases the biodiversity of the local area and will encourage bees, butterflies and birds.
Support local pollinators. Planting pollen-rich flowers will provide local populations of pollinators with essential food and shelter.
A growing trend. Living walls are fast becoming an increasingly popular solution to restyling urban spaces and combating climate change and pollution.
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