Looking to transform your outdoor space but running short on horizontal real estate? The trend of vertical gardening is hotter than ever in 2024, offering a space-efficient, visually stunning, and functional way to maximize your garden. Whether you’re hoping to add some edible greens to your backyard or simply want to enhance the ambiance with lush greenery, vertical gardening can do it all. Let’s dive into the best plants for outdoor vertical gardens, trends to watch for, and tips to make your green wall flourish.
Outdoor Vertical Gardening?
Vertical gardening has skyrocketed in popularity, especially in urban spaces, where garden area is minimal. Growing upwards rather than outwards allows you to make the most of your space while adding an artistic, lush appearance to your surroundings. This gardening method also improves air circulation around plants, which leads to healthier growth and can reduce disease spread.
With rising trends like edible landscaping and eco-conscious designs, vertical gardens are now an essential part of small-scale urban gardening
Top Outdoor Vertical Garden Plants for 2024
1. Herbs
One of the easiest and most practical categories for vertical gardening is herbs. Fresh, flavorful, and handy for the kitchen, herbs are a popular choice for any gardener. Plus, most herb species thrive in small containers, making them perfect for vertical growth.
- Basil – Its compact growth and fragrant leaves make it a popular choice.
- Mint – Hardy and grows abundantly, making it ideal for vertical containers.
- Thyme – This herb can cascade over pots, adding a delightful aesthetic.
- Oregano – Another robust herb, easy to grow and perfect for culinary use.
2. Leafy Greens
Vertical gardening is perfect for leafy greens. They are lightweight and grow rapidly, allowing you to harvest multiple times a year.
- Lettuce – Easy to grow, and you can have fresh salads right from your vertical garden.
- Spinach – Prefers partial shade, making it ideal for a tiered vertical system where the lower levels receive less light.
- Kale – Ornamental yet edible, kale adds a unique visual element with its textured leaves while providing a superfood right at your fingertips
3. Succulents
If you’re looking for low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plants, succulents are your best bet. Their ability to store water makes them perfect for vertical gardens that may dry out more quickly.
- Sedum – Known for its vibrant green and blue hues, sedum thrives in less water, making it a perfect addition.
- Echeveria – Its beautiful rosette shapes and varied colors make it a show-stopper in vertical displays.
- Hens and Chicks – A cute, low-growing succulent that multiplies quickly
4. Flowering Plants
If you’re after visual impact, flowering plants are a must in your vertical garden. Not only do they add color and beauty, but many attract pollinators like butterflies and bees.
- Clematis – A stunning climbing plant that can cover a vertical frame in no time.
- Petunias – These brightly colored flowers bloom prolifically and can cascade down your vertical structure.
- Fuchsia – Perfect for partial shade, this trailing plant adds a pop of color to any garden
5. Vining Vegetables
Growing vegetables vertically is a great way to maximize productivity in a small space.
- Cherry Tomatoes – These can easily be trained to grow upward along a trellis or support frame.
- Cucumbers – Compact varieties like Bush Champion can thrive in vertical gardens, provided they have a trellis to climb.
- Peas – Fast-growing, they are a perfect early-season crop that climbs beautifully.
Key Vertical Garden Trends of 2024
- Eco-Friendly Gardening
Eco-conscious gardening is on the rise, with many opting for sustainable materials like reclaimed wood or eco-friendly plastics for planters. Vertical gardens with built-in drip irrigation systems are becoming the go-to for water conservation. - Mixed Use of Edibles and Ornamentals
2024 sees an increase in combining ornamental edibles like colorful kale and ornamental peppers with your regular plants to enhance the aesthetic while maintaining productivity - Innovative Planters
Self-watering and stackable planters are all the rage, reducing maintenance and providing better drainage. Systems like the Outland Raised Garden Bed or Garraí Vertical Garden Planter allow gardeners to create intricate layers and maximize their plant choices - All-Weather Gardening
Creating vertical gardens that thrive year-round is now possible with innovations in cold-tolerant plant varieties and all-weather planters. The focus is on durability without compromising on beauty.
Essential Tips for a Thriving Vertical Garden
- Watering: Due to their vertical nature, water can quickly drain from top to bottom. Consider drip irrigation systems or self-watering planters to ensure plants get the hydration they need.
- Soil: Lightweight, well-draining soil is crucial. You don’t want your vertical garden to collapse under the weight of heavy, waterlogged soil.
- Lighting: Be strategic with plant placement. Sun-loving plants should go higher, while shade-tolerant species thrive lower down.
- Support Structure: Choose sturdy frames and trellises that can handle the weight of the plants as they mature, especially if you’re growing fruit or heavy vines.
FAQs About Outdoor Vertical Gardening
What are the best plants for vertical gardening?
Herbs like basil, leafy greens like lettuce, and flowering plants such as petunias are some of the best options for vertical gardens due to their compact growth habits and versatility.
How do I water a vertical garden?
The best way to water a vertical garden is by using drip irrigation systems or self-watering planters to ensure even water distribution from top to bottom. Hand watering can sometimes result in overwatering the top layers while the bottom layers stay dry.
Can I grow vegetables in a vertical garden?
Absolutely! Vegetables like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and even peas thrive in vertical gardens when provided with the right support structure.
What is the advantage of vertical gardening?
Vertical gardening helps you make the most of small spaces, improves air circulation for healthier plants, and allows for easier access to your crops or decorative plants.
