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How to create an affordable green wall

Charlie Albone turns this courtyard into a green oasis.

When you live in a small home or apartment, it pays to be savvy with how you use your space – and that includes all things green! 

Living green walls are a celebration of nature’s triumph over our built environment. The benefits are huge – they’re beautiful and they lift your wellbeing. 

But a dynamic vertical garden has disadvantages: it may compromise the integrity of your structure and can involve time-consuming watering, feeding and weeding. 

Instead, exploit the texture and colour of your wall with strategically placed planters and let each of your plants shine instead of being just one of the crowd.

Plant selection

Green Wall
(Credit: Sue Ferris) (Credit: Sue Ferris)

Same but different

Vary your rhipsalis species to show off their different and magnificent forms.

Charlie Albone's green wall
(Credit: Sue Ferris) (Credit: Sue Ferris)

The sky’s the limit

Chinese sky jasmine is a natural climber when you give it the appropriate support.

Boston fern on table
(Credit: Sue Ferris) (Credit: Sue Ferris)

Dress your table

Boston ferns are terrific in hanging pots but also shine when displayed on a table. 

Mother in Law's tongue and rhipsalis
(Credit: Sue Ferris) (Credit: Sue Ferris)

Fat and skinny

Mix and match your forms and colours with mother-in-law’s tongue and rhipsalis.

Green wall

Create a green lacy curtain

Don’t hide the lovely texture of wood panelling, highlight it instead with the artful placement of hanging and climbing plants.

Plant a fishtail palm in the corner to add volume to your space.

Want to learn how to build the curved wall planters in this makeover? Click here for the step-by-step instructions.

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