Exploring Color and Contrast
Monet would be proud. Living Green Design is a noted San Francisco firm that, in their words, “takes a unique approach to garden design that crosses borders, styles and trends.” Their folks believe strongly that interior design, plantscapes and style should all connect to the exterior garden seamlessly. A vertical garden was an ideal way to incorporate this concept of unified indoor and outdoor living.
Davis Dalbok, founder and principal designer, and Brandon Pruett, who specializes in creating multi-dimensional vertical living walls, installed a large, 20x10-foot vertical garden at their San Francisco showroom.
They filled the Florafelt system with a vibrant textural feast of ferns, grasses, yellow oxalis and even trees − Japanese maple!
Oxalis is especially versatile when “painting” a vertical garden: besides yellow, the profuse flowers are available in pink, purple and white, and their foliage adds even more color and texture: chartreuse, purple, maroon, silver, purple-black, speckled combos and more.
Oxalis also thrives in part shade and likes well-drained, moist soil. Reliable up to zone 5, the plants can be treated as perennials in warmer climes; they’ll need overwintering inside if grown in climates like the Midwest, or they can be treated as annuals.
Davis says the garden is a hit. “When clients enter, they are so impressed by the diversity of plant material, and the sheer scale, that they almost always begin to figure out how they might incorporate something similar into their home or office. Most of the ambient natural light comes from skylights above, so this garden provides the perfect opportunity to ‘zone’ the placement of plants in the overall design, demonstrating how one can achieve a successful installation by addressing all of the particulars.”
Davis Dalbok, Brandon Pruett, Decorator Showcase 2013, Florafelt System
Plant materials for their showroom were repurposed from the 2013 Decorator Showcase in Pacific Heights San Francisco. Birds of prey was the title of this exhibition that featured grasses and conifers, maples and ferns.
All plants which are not typical to vertical gardening but were a total transformation of this enclosed space to a lush landscape of lore.
Davis Dalbok, Brandon Pruett, Decorator Showcase 2013, Florafelt System
The Living Green team continues to delight and amaze with their unique vision that delivers an experience to be remembered.
Poolside Theater Vertical Garden
Luxury Pools Magazine features a poolside theater vertical garden filled with succulents designed by Chris Bribach of Plants On Walls using the Florafelt Pro System for a Toll Brother's Jordan Ranch model home in Dublin, California.
Luxury Pools Magazine. Chris Bribach, Plants On Walls. Florafelt Pro Vertical Garden System.
Living Facade Vertical Garden
Amanda Goldberg of Planted Design worked with Brandon Pruett to create a living facade near 14th and Folsom Street in the Mission District of San Francisco using the Florafelt Pro System.
Brandon Pruett and Amanda Goldberg create a living facade for their client's industrial building near 14th and Folsom Street in San Francisco's Mission District.
This living facade is filled with drought tolerant California natives and contains thousands of plant starts.
The freshly planted vertical garden is already busrting with life and beginning to fill in.
Looking up from the street the industrial facade has been transformed into a lush countryside that offers a habitat for birds and bees.
Brandon leads a team of volunteers to wrap the plants in felt diapers. The root-wrapped plants are set aside and then inserted into the Florafelt System.
The rooftop was the perfect place to prepare the plants for the vertical garden.
Amanda of Planted Design hired Brandon Pruett of Living Green Design to map out the irrigation system that includes copper drain trays that directs runoff to landscape below.
Amanda Goldberg and Brandon Pruett worked together to create a dramatic design that includes a wide variety of color and interest highlighting California natives and drought tolerant species.
First a wire gird is assembled then the Florafelt Grow Strips are woven into it.
A scissor lift is used to place the root-wrapped plants according to the design grid.
This completed living facade is a landmark installation that will not only transform the neighborhood but soften the urban experience for all.
Exotic Species Vertical Garden
Brandon Pruett of Living Green Design created a design thick with exotic species for their San Francisco Showroom using the Florafelt Pro System.
Brandon Pruett, Living Green Design Showroom, San Francisco. Florafelt Pro System.
This unique water-saving vertical garden uses the urn (at the lower left) to collect and recirculate water and nutrients.
Brandon Pruett, Living Green Design Showroom, San Francisco. Florafelt Pro System.
Brandon Pruett, Living Green Design Showroom, San Francisco. Florafelt Pro System.
Brandon Pruett, Living Green Design Showroom, San Francisco. Florafelt Pro System.
San Francisco Orchid Show 2015 Vertical Garden
San Francisco Orchid Expo 2015, Florafelt Pro System
For the Pacific Orchid Expo 2015 a Fabergé style cascade of pink orchids on a curved vertical garden welcome visitors at the entrance of the Fort Mason Hall in San Francisco where the show was held.
San Francisco Orchid Expo 2015, Florafelt Pro System
Plants were kept in their original pots for the 3-day show then sold on the final day to raise money for the San Francisco Orchid Society. Special thanks goes to Casper Curto and all the volunteers who helped to create this incredible display.
San Francisco Orchid Expo 2015, Florafelt Pro System
The Florafelt Pro System was donated by Chris Bribach, inventor of the Florafelt system.
Vertical Herb Garden for Bartenders
Brandon Pruett of Living Green Design created a bartender's herb vertical garden for Anchor Brewing Company's exclusive San Francisco rooftop cocktail tasting lounge. Working with team members Rachel Farinelli and Lindsey Graves they created a delightful mix of herbs ideal for a bartender's garnish to a glass.
Brandon Pruett, Living Green Design, Anchor Brewing Company, Florafelt System
Brandon Pruett, Living Green Design, Anchor Brewing Company, Florafelt System
Brandon Pruett, Living Green Design, Anchor Brewing Company, Florafelt System
VIDEO: Vertical Herb Garden for Bartenders. A mix of herbs served fresh for the perfect garnish for glass. Brandon Pruett, Rachel Farinelli and Lindsey Graves from Living Green Design created a custom vertical plant wall for Anchor Brewing Company's cocktail tasting rooftop lounge.
Frank Lloyd Wright Marin Center Vertical Garden
Fani Hansen Architects used the Florafelt System to create a curved vertical garden to 'bring the outdoors in' at Frank Lloyd Wright's Marin Center in San Rafael, California.
Fani Hansen Architects, Frank Lloyd Wright Marin Center, Florafelt System
Fani Hansen Architects, Marin Center, Florafelt System
Fani Hansen Architects, Marin Center, Florafelt System
Living Architecture Vertical Garden
Inspired by the lush tropical lava formed earthworks of Hawaiian cliffsides landscape designer Brandon Pruett of Living Green Design envisioned a living architectural form to be presented at Sunset Magazine Celebration Weekend 2014. He began with a futuristic crystalized brutalist form then filled it with vividly colorful botanical plant species. Like Hawaiian caves, water dripped from the living structural cantilever that arched over a stone vessel below. Visitors moved through the exhibit as if transported into another world.
This wildly colorful living wall installation was created using the Florafelt Pro System designed by Chris Bribach of Plants On Walls. This patented living wall system uses a 6 by 6 inch metal grid frame to support Florafelt Grow Strip that is woven into the grid to create pleats to support the plants.
The Florafelt Pro System is a very robust and versatile planting system that can be customized for almost any vertical gardening application.
Learn How
Florafelt Aquaponics Growing Vertical Greens
We created test gardens in Sonoma, California to develop an aquaponics system growing a variety of leafy greens with many different types of lettuce, kale and others.
What is Aquaponics?
Aquaponics is a way to grow vegetables using water circulated from fish tanks. This ‘closed loop’ system is water efficient and can provide multiple food sources from both the fish and plants.
Test Garden
We created test gardens in Sonoma, California to develop an aquaponics system growing a variety of leafy greens with many different types of lettuce, kale and others. Here are the details of our discoveries and what we found to work best. Overall we were were pleased with the simplicity of the system. At first we started with electronic monitoring and complex timers but later abandon the complexity and just let the system run constantly which proved to be best for the overall system, including less wear on the pumps and better filtering for the fish.
Aquaponics Ecosystem
For our aquaponics installation we grew a variety of leafy greens from sprouted from seeds. We used a hearty breed of goldfish to keep it easy for our initial runs. The goal was to build up the natural biology in the system to create a balanced ecosystem for both the plants and fish. The water system runs continuously to keep the plant materials irrigated and the water oxygenated for the fish. A pump that is always on is more reliable because it prevents pump cycling and extends pump life.
Florafelt Pro System Design
The aquaponic system is prepared for another year of planting. Florafelt Pro system units are mounted above 100 gallon tanks. This siThe Florafelt aquaponic growing system is prepared for another year of planting. Florafelt Pro system units are mounted above 100 gallon tanks. This simple system provides a copious amount of vegetable and fish harvests.
Supports and Grids
Struts are mounted to the building facade. Bent wire stainless steel grids are clipped to the struts using strut clamps.
Water Shields
Plastic water shields are inserted into the grids to provide waterproofing.
Water Tanks and Protective Covers
Large 100 gallon tanks are placed below each set of grids that cover an area 8 feet wide by 4 feet tall. A gutter directs water into the tank. A section of grid is hinged and locked on the top of the tank for child safety and to keep rodents out. Built-out tank surrounds would make this a much more attractive installation. For this test garden, these were adequate.
Recirculating Pump and Auto Refill with Water Filter
Irrigation Tubing
Standard 5/8″ irrigation tubing is used to circulate water through the system. Large holes are placed above each felted column. Only one line of tubing across the top. Tubing ends are stopped using the folded method.
Grow Buns
Florafelt Grow Buns are pre-folded and held together with rubber bands. Each bun creates a plantable furrow for seeds.
Make a Grow Bun
Use Florafelt Grow Strip to make a grow bun that you can place in each pocket.
Never Use Soil
In aquaponics, soil is fatal for fish. Start your plants using seeds or starts with the soil washed off of roots.
Water Pump
A simple pump sits in the tank and tubing is run up and through the gutter downspout.
Automatic Water Filler
Water levels are maintained with a toilet filler.
Continuous Water Flow
Water flows through the system and back into the tank. This simple installation uses minimal drain trays and tubing.
Water Filter Helps Balance pH
An inline water filter is used to remove most of the calcium carbonate from the municipal water system. This helps to keep calcium deposits low and water pH in balance. Simple hose connections keeps the installation simple and easy to modify.
Fish are Added
Goldfish are added to the tank after the system ran for a month.
Water Usage
A water flow meter is added to determine how much water was added to the system. Green plastic was used to wrap the main valve to prevent accidental water shutoff. The combined systems of 32 square feet of high density planting area used on average 17 gallons per week. This includes the evaporation from both of the 100 gallon tanks. There were a total of 128 plants in this system.
Seed Labeling
A wide variety of lettuce and kale are tested in the system. Labels are made for each test section.
Seed Planting
Seeds are planted in the Grow Bun furrows and labels are added.
Loads of Greens
After a couple months the seeds sprouted and grew into healthy plants.
Maintenance
The system is very easy to maintain. Very little maintenance is required to keep it going. The fish need to be fed daily and the greens harvested. At the end of the season large plants are removed at the stem. The roots are allowed to remain in the felt. These decay and begin to build organic matter in the system. The following season new seed are added to the system to repeat the cycle.
Florafelt products for this project
San Francisco Decorator Showcase 2013 Birds of Prey Living Wall
Davis Dalbok and Brandon Pruett of Living Green Design San Francisco used the Florafelt System to transform this brick courtyard into a vertical woodland. The team worked closely with Florafelt's inventor Chris Bribach to create an infrastructure to host grasses, ferns, japanese maples, and conifers for the 1 month show.
Davis Dalbok, Brandon Pruett, Living Green, Florafelt System
Davis Dalbok, Brandon Pruett, Living Green, Florafelt System
Davis Dalbok, Brandon Pruett, Living Green, Florafelt System
Davis Dalbok, Brandon Pruett, Living Green, Florafelt System
Davis Dalbok and Brandon Pruett of Living Green Design used the Florafelt Pro System to transform a plain brick courtyard into a lush garden retreat at the San Francisco 2013 Decorator Showcase. This video was taken only one week after the livings walls were installed. Chris Bribach from Plants On Walls gives a brief tour.
Painted Vertical Shade Garden
Designer Brandon Pruett of Living Green Design created a vertical garden masterpiece with shade-loving coral bells, ferns and grasses with the Florafelt System. He chose colors that added a vibrant and exciting touch to this Pacific Heights home in San Francisco.
Brandon Pruett, Living Green Design, Florafelt System
Brandon Pruett, Living Green Design, Florafelt System
Brandon Pruett, Living Green Design, Florafelt System
Brandon Pruett, Living Green Design, Florafelt System