Climbers
To combat the biodiversity crisis and create natural
landscapes for health and wellbeing, we must explore all possible options for
growing plants in our cities. Dense urban environments often limit our ability to
integrate vegetation without the constant need for irrigation or a costly maintenance
regime. Climbing plants are often overlooked when it comes to city greening.
These plants developed natural habits that we believe make
them ideal for our cities. Climbing species can grow in all possible exposures
and locations, and cover surfaces up to 30m in height. They have developed several
remarkable ways of attaching themselves to surfaces and structures which makes
them versatile and adaptable to different design challenges.
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In our research, we explore and illustrate how these can be successfully adapted to greening our cities, including facades,
structures, walls, and interiors. Organised through precedents, diagrams and details, our research demonstrates all the possible ways of using these plants.
In addition to tracking and exhibiting international examples, we document and highlight all local case studies with an up-to-date list of reliable plants that we know perform well in the UK and are widely available.
