Largest green wall in North America is unveiled

The largest green wall in North America, provided by GSky Plant Systems, was unveiled Oct. 9 at the world-renowned Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pa. The flagship of Longwood’s redesigned East Conservatory Plaza wing is the 4,072 square-foot green wall, 70-percent larger than the previous green-wall record holder, PNC Bank, Pittsburgh.

The green wall at Longwood Gardens is unprecedented in size, but its long-lasting plant support system makes it one of the most advanced green walls in the world. The wall’s 47,000 plants provide as much oxygen as 90 fourteen foot-tall trees and will clean over 15,500 lbs of dust and harmful toxins per year.

The backbone of Longwood Garden’s wall is GSky’s Green Wall Panel System, which features advanced technologies that allow plants to thrive in atypical environments. The green wall was installed as collaboration with Ambius, the world’s largest interior landscaper.

Rather than soil, GSky’s 3,595 panel-based system uses a long-lasting structural growth medium. The 3,800 ft vertical drip irrigation system uses minimal water levels, conserving 90-percent more water than traditional irrigation systems. Similar to how an alarm system company works, a computerized monitoring system tracks irrigation activity and water usage 24/7. Given how these features work together, if maintained properly, the “green wall will last a very long time, as long as the building itself,” says GSky president Chad Sichello.

“The green wall is an extraordinary addition to Longwood,” said Longwood Gardens director Paul Redman. “The size and beauty of the green wall will amaze our guests as well as advance our continuing commitment to sound environmental practices.”