Here’s a guide to the different varieties of heuchera plants used in the design. “These photos show the wall in all its glory, but you need to expect that during the winter, it will look more sparse,” Hutcheon says. “The heuchera stays the most leafy and full year-round.” He also warns homeowners that, just as with a garden on the ground, they should expect to have to make a few replacements. Unfortunately, a mildew that killed aptenias ran rampant through Southern California after this wall was planted, so those had to be replaced.
The system uses Aquafelt in place of soil. This graphic shows the layers under the plants: The first layer is a grid of aluminum tubes, the second is plastic board, and the third is two layers of felt irrigation cloth. “We have found that this felt works better than soil; the felt wicks the nutrient-rich water and lets oxygen breathe into the root zone — there’s enough air in it to allow the roots to run through it,” he says. “With this felt, the roots run through the expanse of the wall, and there are no root-bound issues that you have with other types of systems.”
The best way to live without the grid’s sewer system: Installing your own septic and drain field system. This will return all of your waste to the ground, where it will be absorbed as nutrients. It takes space to install, yet once it’s in place, it will get covered up and function out of sight. Another option to consider is a composting toilet. Maintenance is required for both of these systems to keep them functioning.
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