Green facades provide a biotope and shelter for small animals, promoting ecological diversity; they attract insects, butterflies, birds, etc.. If you are not keen on spiders, mice (yes, they too...) and chirping sparrows coming too close to the windows, you can limit the greenery with suitably arranged trellises.
A facade greening can serve birds and insects temporarily, or even provide a permanent habitat. This is all the more the case for birds, the more three-dimensional, the more ‘tree-like’ the greenery is (Sabrina Schwendimann in "GebäudeGrün" 2/2024). Masts covered in ivy (Hedera helix) can be a substitute for trees.
These small biotopes are extremely important for many species, especially in heavily developed urban areas / concrete jungles, providing them much-needed refuges. Some bird species (blackbirds for example), beetles, and other little critters like to nest in a wall garden. Spiders do not like to leave the greenery at all and enjoy eating other insect there: if the trellises and climbing plants are at a good distance from the windows, there is no reason for them to reach our homes. The correct placement of trellis systems will keep creatures from the windows.
The ‘bridge’ function of green walls is probably also important: they contribute to the networking of green islands. They provide birds and insects with a larger area in which to operate and offer additional protection from predators. Ms Nadine Reinert from TU Berlin was able to prove that the diversity of species and the colonisation density of insects are particularly high on a green façade ‘embedded’ in this way (see GebäudeGrün 2/2024).
The wall garden serves as a direct food source for birds, what with all those insects and all. You'll find birds flitting there looking for a snack, and you may even find that they've a nest there amidst the trellis. Many climbing plants themselves provide the basis of some creatures' diet: ivy berries are popular with birds, while those of firethorn serve as their winter food. Virginia creeper and ivy feed bees and other foragers, and blooming honeysuckle attracts night lovers (nocturnal insects, etc..) with its enchanting scent.
Be aware: some mice, small rodents, and even raccoons can climb greened walls! If the trellis plant bears fruit, wasps can be a nuisance. Then the grape-free wild vine is the best choice. Even chirping sparrows in the ivy has been known to disturb the peace. Ahhhh, nature...
Various species, from February to October
Fassadengrün is a commercial supplier of stainless steel wire rope systems in Germany, Europe and overseas. Information about: Which plants are suitable, are climbing aids necessary, should they be made of wood or metal? Here at FassadenGrün you will find all the information you need from a single source.
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