Find out more about the Living Wall that The Red Carnation Hotel Collection is using to keep cities greener. Located on the doorstep of Buckingham Palace in London, The Rubens at the Palace’s living wall reaches over 21 meters high and is packed with over 20 seasonal plant species including buttercups, crocuses, strawberries, lavender, spring bulbs, and winter geraniums.
The flowers have been chosen to ensure the wall is “in-bloom” all year round. Affectionately nicknamed “The Green Lungs of Victoria”, the wall boasts significant environmental benefits, such as improving the air quality for those working in and passing through the area and attracting much-needed wildlife such as bees, butterflies and birds.
Watch the time lapse video showing how the wall was created: https://vimeo.com/72804575.
Below are 10 fun facts about London’s largest living wall:
- There are 22 species, totaling an impressive 10,000 plants. The range and quantity of plants on the living wall is vast. The visual effect of the vertical garden is outstanding. It is proven that people feel happier when they see green areas in urban cities.
- Clever water irrigation. There’s no need to worry about hoisting a watering can up the side of the building. The inbuilt drip irrigation system delivers 1 liter of water per square meter, plus stores water during rainfall for sustainable storage solutions.
- Plants will grow up to 1 meter. With so much diversity some plants will grow up to 1 meter out when fully grown, making for a spectacular sight.
- No spray! The hotel does not use any chemical sprays to maintain its plants. The wall is green in every sense.
- Lowest percentage of evergreen plants in London. The living wall is unique from others in London, with a different collection of greenery.
- Seasonal colors. The changing seasons bring beautiful changing colors in nature. The Living Wall is no exception having been intelligently filled with plants and flowers that will come to life throughout the entire year, making for a wonderful natural show.
- The largest percentage of eatable plants. From wild strawberries to lavender the wall is full of delicious treats.
- The wall will attract plenty of wildlife.From various types of pretty butterflies to endangered bees in the summer, to numerous types of birds including robins who will nest behind the ferns in winter. By using a broad range of plants, a green wall can considerably increase the number and variety of insects and birds in a given area, helping to return a more sustainable ecosystem in urban environments.
- The wall cools the hotel building by 30 degrees. A coverage of vegetation over a building can dramatically reduce the need for additional cooling in summer. The vegetation also works as a blanket to reduce heat loss from a building in winter. Studies have shown considerable energy savings.
- The wall weighs about 10 tons. The hotel does not take its environmental responsibilities lightly.
