This section deals with the greening of free-standing, vertical structures that have no load at the top. Specifically, these are masts, posts and lampposts in street spaces, but also chimneys, etc. (The greening of supports integrated into buildings is dealt with elsewhere). In some cases, it will be necessary to take wind and weight loads resulting from greening into account in structural calculations.
The Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata ‘Veitchii’) is often used as a self climbing plant for obelisks. It grows well in poor, compacted soil and has another advantage: when it reaches the top, its shoots do not climb horizontal ropes like tension and electrical lines. The vegetation thus remains limited to the mast itself. When it comes to lanterns, the situation is somewhat different: in some cases, the lantern bodies do become overgrown and enveloped in green shoots. The thinner the ‘neck’ of the lantern, the less likely this is to happen. Furthermore, climbing barriers delay complete overgrowth, e.g. cover caps at the top of a concrete pole, which make it difficult for the shoots to grow vertically and close to the pole.
When it comes to lanterns, the situation is somewhat different: in some cases, the lantern bodies do become overgrown and enveloped in green shoots. The thinner the ‘neck’ of the lantern, the less likely this is to happen. Furthermore, climbing barriers delay complete overgrowth, e.g. cover caps at the top of a concrete pole, because they make it difficult for the shoots to continue growing vertically and close to the pole.
The ornamental vine “Engelmannii” (Parthenocissus quinqefolia “Engelmannii”) grows in a similar way, but is somewhat more adept at climbing lateral components protruding from the pole, which can be a disadvantage. However, its advantage is that it forms thicker foliage rolls, more like ivy (see below), and is therefore more suitable as a habitat for birds than “Veitchii”.
The “mini vine” (a variety of Parthenocissus tricuspidata) is also an option if the greening height is to be limited to 3–5 m. Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinqefolia), on the other hand, is less suitable because its rather long tendrils unfortunately climb up everything that should not be covered, such as horizontal guy ropes, etc.
The function of masts only becomes apparent at the top: they carry lanterns, guy wires or power cables. They must continue to fulfil this function even after greening, which may require maintenance work due to pruning. This is also the case with ivy, but it usually takes many years before a significant height of vegetation is achieved. This is an argument in favour of ivy, especially on 12-20 metre high pylons, whose tops it can hardly climb anyway!
Ivy is probably the most valuable plant for greening pylons because it forms very spacious, expansive green cylinders that birds recognise as ‘tree substitutes’. This results from the ‘Arborescens’ form, which usually develops inevitably after a few years. The ivy then grows more like a shrub and no longer clings closely to the wall. At the beginning of a greening project, however, ivy is always a self-climbing plant with adhesive roots.
Two more advantages of ivy: it is an absolute ‘winner’ from an ecological point of view and is evergreen, i.e. it retains its leaves throughout the winter.
Climbing or twining plants can also grow on lattice masts without support. On smooth masts, however, a climbing aid is required, which is not easy to attach to concrete masts or tubular steel.
For this reason, inexpensive wire mesh is often used for roadside greening. The wire mesh attached around the pole may only be extended to half the height in order to limit the growth height and, for example, keep tension cables from tram lines and the like clear. It is also possible to limit the growth height by choosing weaker-growing plants such as Menispermum (photo).
The Thomas Brandmeier company offers an alternative for masts – see suppliers: rope holders attached with stainless steel tension straps. It is also possible to attach the plants directly to the support using binding material (velcro tape or rubber belts) .
This sometimes results in a curious phenomenon: climbing plants use the branched structures of a self-climber that previously covered the mast as a climbing aid. The native Clematis vitalba is particularly predestined for this, as its wind-scattered offspring take every opportunity to grow upwards on anything they can find. Unfortunately, it then manages to continue climbing at the top in the crosswise ropes of an electric overhead line (tram).
This Clematis viticella “ 'Madame Julia Correvon'” grows on wire mesh on a lantern.
Free-standing chimneys, smoke stacks, ventilation pipes from underground garages, and the like are also elements suitable for greening. All that was described above for 'masts' applies here. You can also find other but similar examples under the section Drainpipes/Downpipes.
Flower boxes can also be attached to poles, e.g. lampposts. Some manufacturers offer ‘double shells’ specifically designed for pole greening, including water reservoirs, etc. This enhances pedestrian zones and town squares!
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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