Admittedly, I’m in thrall with Vertical Gardens: Exemplifed by the Living Wall or Mur Vegetal created by botanist/artist/passionate plantsman, Patrick Blanc for The Athenaeum Hotel Piccadilly, London.
Athenaeum London Entryway Roof Garden Photo © Alice Joyce
The garden Blanc created in 2009 for The Athenaeum had slipped past my radar, until it appeared like a vision before my eyes while riding atop one of London’s double-decker buses, my preferred mode of transport when time permits. The garden’s commanding verdant expanse wraps around a corner of the hotel building on Piccadilly Road. As well as the wall, the hotel’s entryway boasts a densely planted rooftop – pictured above: I was informed that the rooftop element had been added to the original plan after Blanc’s vertical garden revealed itself to be a distinctive addition to the Athenaeum’s facade. Choisya ternata – fragrant Mexican orange – appears among the rooftop plantings, and it seemed to be present in most every English garden I visited this past May.
Athenaeum Blanc Vertical Garden May 2010 Photo © Alice Joyce
By the way…. look for the story HERE on Alice’s Garden Travel Buzz when Patrick Blanc creates his first U.S. West Coast garden, coming soon to the new Drew School building in San Francisco.
And, if you’re planning to visit London, you’ll surely want to visit the Kensington Roof Gardens!
Athenaeum Blanc Vertical Garden detail Photo © Alice Joyce
Dear Alice, I do so agree with you about Patrick Blanc’s ‘garden’ at The Athenaeum which is, indeed, spectacular. I am always interested in the kind of mind which can conceive of, and then bring about the execution of, this kind of thing. It is surprising what one may see, and discover, from the top of a double decker bus!
I do hope that the move is progressing! Have a happy and restful weekend.
Hello Alice, This is quite beautiful! I imagine if all city buildings would take on green this way it may help clean the air… but what will it do to the walls of the buildings… hmmm… someone will think of ways to protect the integrity. In many ways this is a great time we live in. ;>)
Dear Alice, it’s really interesting and colourful! How long can a wall like this complete its task without substantial replanting? Are they noisy with bees and bugs?
Hi Alice,
This is simply the most fantastic thing I’ve ever seen. It’s truly incredible what Patrick Blanc has created here. The way the plant wrap around the hotel, and just the fact that it’s vertical, is so very impressive.
Do you think most of these plants used are drought tolerant? I’m wondering how the watering system works. It must be a little complicated, but obviously achievable!
Great post as usual!
That is just incredible!