Semiahmoo Public Library and RCMP Facility in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada is home to the largest outdoor green wall in North America. This gorgeous green wall is not just a living wall; it is a beautiful piece of art.

 

The 3,000 square foot wall is made of 10,000 individual plants from 120 unique species. The wall includes ground covers, large perennials, shrubs and even small trees. The Vancouver, British Columbia-based Green over Grey – Living Walls and Design was the creative force behind the project.

 

"The large diversity of plant species chosen creates a balanced ecosystem that is an urban oasis for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds," says Patrick Poiraud, Principal at Green over Grey - Living Walls and Design, the Vancouver-based company designing and constructing the wall. "The living wall helps to insulate the building, purify the air and transform the grey concrete into hundreds of shades of green."

 

According to Mike Weinmaster, a designer and artist with Green over Grey, “The initial inspiration for this garden came from the artwork of the Coast Salish (including Semiahmoo) First Nations People.”

 

The Semiahmoo Public Library green wall was built without any soil. To ensure that the plants not only survived but also thrived, the vertical support system was outfitted to provide both water and nutrients to the plants. This design is similar to how plants growing on cliffs receive their nutrients.

 

Visit the Green over Grey design gallery to see some of the other gorgeous green walls that the company has designed including walls in spas, hospitals, individual residences and even on cruise ships.