I am intrigued by the work created by Patrick Blanc a french botanist and artist. We know all too well the huge need for green spaces especially in urban environments, he has a fantastic solution - Vertical Gardens www.verticalgardenpatrickblanc.com

He is based in Paris, certainly a city with many beautiful squares and buildings, but it is a geographical area with little room for expansion. There is very little opportunity for the creation of new open spaces or parks when demand for housing is so huge. However, where there is a blank building wall he sees an opportunity. He fixes a solid frame onto the wall and, by allowing water to trickle down, it provides soil-free habitats for various plants which in turn can provide a home for all manner of lifeforms from birds to frogs. The Garden can be inside or out and plant species are chosen to suit the climatic conditions.

Mr Blanc began his botanical experiments in his own home and now he works on commissions all over the world with projects ongoing in China, Spain and his native France. His first UK commissions are Leamouth Peninsula a docklands regeneration scheme ongoing in 2008 and the Pacha Club, Kings Cross, London. Due to the density of the growth there is no need for weeding, so over time they develop from a two dimensional design to a 3D living work of art and each project is protected by copyright. He has a book “The Vertical Garden: In Nature and the City”

Postcript to this article.  Click here for latest news on the Pacha Club, London commission.

UPDATE.  In the UK there is a Gardeners World Special featuring an interview with Patrick Blanc and discussion of his work.  Date for broadcast is 8pm on Friday 20th March 2009.  I’ve done a quick update post here.

UPDATE.  Short feature and images @ Wired.com regarding PB’s recent vertical garden at the Athenaeum, London.  24 August 2009