Vertical Gardening: Growing Up For Space-Saving Beauty

Urban living is becoming increasingly popular, but with that brings the challenge of having less outdoor space. Innovative gardening solutions are becoming more important than ever, and thinking outside the box is key. Vertical gardening is a practical solution that also looks attractive. Whether you are a complete beginner or a seasoned gardener, it is fairly easy to transform spaces with vertical gardening. Let’s explore the world of vertical gardening including the benefits, techniques and the best plants to grow in this way.

Benefits of Vertical Gardening

1. Saves space

One of the biggest advantages of vertical gardening is the ability to maximise space. For people living in flats or apartments with tiny gardens, vertical gardening allows you to grow a variety of plants without taking up too much room. Suddenly you can make surrounding walls and fences look pretty with a wide array of flowers and climbers.

2. Aesthetically pleasing

Vertical gardens can brighten up any outdoor space, turning a bland area into somewhere you want to look at. By growing plants at different heights, you can create an engaging display that is a focal point in your garden. If you are looking to attract wild species such as honeybees, alliums are perfect for planting in vertical gardens.

3. Improves air quality

Plants are great at purifying the air, so by adding more greenery to your outdoor space, you can improve the air quality. This has also been shown to help productivity, so perfect for those working from home. Vertical gardens can help filter out pollutants, increase oxygen levels and even reduce noise pollution.

4. Easy to maintain

Vertical gardens are actually easier to maintain than traditional gardens, mainly due to the plants being easier to access. As the plants are not on the ground, they don’t get attacked by pests and weeds as much either.

Getting Started With Vertical Gardening

Vertical gardening doesn’t just have to include climbing plants, you can have wall-mounted planters as well as trellises, or hanging pots to create stunning displays at different levels. Think about the space you have available, and the types of plants you would like to grow.

Not all plants are suitable for vertical gardening, you are best choosing those which thrive in compact spaces and can adapt to growing upwards as opposed to horizontally. Here are a few ideas:

1.Herbs: basil, mint, parsley, thyme

2. Vegetables: tomatoes, cucumbers, peas, lettuce

3. Flowers: petunias, begonias, fuschias and marigolds

4. Succulents: aloe vera and sedum

There are also seed mixtures which have a mixture of wildflowers in them. They are a great way to add a burst of colour and nature to your vertical garden.

Creative Vertical Garden Ideas

Vertical gardens aren’t just about having a few plants in pots to climb up your garden walls, there are a few options if you get creative:

• Living walls

This is where you have plants growing on panels that are fixed to a wall, so they can be shorter and add lots of different colours to a dull area of your garden. Living walls are perfect to change throughout the seasons, so you could plant some tulips ready for flowering around May time, or some hyacinths that will flower early March/April time.

• Trellises and climbers

Trellises are a great way to encourage plants to grow vertically, and you tend to find plants like sweet peas, passion flowers or more traditional ornamental plants like ivy fair well when planted in this way.

• Hanging gardens

Hanging gardens use pots or planters suspended from ceilings or balconies, and are a great way to add layers to your garden area. They can include a variety of plants, flowers, herbs and small vegetables.

Vertical gardening is a new trend when it comes to transforming small gardens, and is a great way to add a splash of colour to your outdoor space. Whether you are growing herbs, bulbs, or climbing plants, vertical gardening is a versatile way to improve your home.

For advice on selecting the best flower bulbs for your gardening project, contact our knowledgeable team at Boston Bulbs on 01775 769333, or email sales@bostonbulbswholesale.co.uk. We have a wide range of bulbs available, with options to suit both novice and avid gardeners.

The Boston Bulb Company has over 40 years of experience in supplying only the finest quality horticultural products from farmers and growers throughout the UK and Europe.