In the Search for Sustainable Vertical Green Systems: An Innovative Low-Cost Indirect Green Façade Structure Using Portuguese Native Ivies and Cork

Green façades in the urban environment represent points of biodiversity value, contributing to species conservation, acting as wildlife corridors connecting elements, and also aiming at sustainability, when materials structure are thoughtfully chosen. Ivies (Hedera spp.) perennial climbing evergreen plants that easy cultivate demand little input, their use vertical green systems is much appreciated but may lead damage constructions long term. Among 14 Hedera currently recognized, a few have been bred into cultivars available market for cultivation, often exotic species. Four spp. native Portugal, most cultivated this territory suitability has not documented. Thus, present work, we describe installation low-cost indirect façade supported on cork panels using belonging H. iberica hibernica. The installed Ajuda Botanical Garden, under Mediterranean conditions, brick cement wall, will enable researchers landscape architects follow development long-term experiment, prompting toward increased biological technical sustainability. preliminary results indicate able provide adequate support these were climb develop structure, avoiding direct contact with wall possible subsequent damage. Therefore, provides viable solution implementing sustainable species, brick-cement walls, be replicated other locations similar environmental conditions.