What is a green facade and which climbers should you choose?
By Hovenier Hoofddorp · Updated July 19, 2026
A green facade is a wall grown over with plants. Three approaches: self-clinging climbers (ivy, climbing hydrangea — cheapest, from a few tens of euros), guided climbers on stainless wires or a trellis (€50–€200 per m² including the frame), and living wall systems with planted modules and irrigation (several hundred euros per m²). Facade green cools the house, dampens noise, captures fine dust and feeds birds and bees.
Which climber suits which wall?
- North/shade wall: climbing hydrangea (self-clinging, white flowers) or ivy (evergreen, late bee forage).
- South/sun wall: wisteria (on sturdy wires), star jasmine (evergreen, fragrant) or grape.
- East/west: clematis (combine varieties for April–September flowering), climbing roses, honeysuckle.
- Fast cover: Russian vine or Virginia creeper — both need firm yearly pruning.
Only ivy and Virginia creeper cling by themselves; everything else needs a climbing aid: stainless wires every 30–40 cm, at least 5 cm off the wall.
Will a climber damage the wall?
On sound brickwork with good pointing, ivy does no harm — its rootlets cannot penetrate healthy joints. Be careful with: old or soft pointing and cracks (existing defects can worsen), rendered or painted walls (marks on removal), and gutters, roof edges and window frames — every climber needs an annual trim away from those. In doubt? Choose a guided climber on wires: it never touches the wall and can be laid aside for facade maintenance.
What does facade green deliver?
- Cooling: a planted south wall stays markedly cooler in summer — leaf cover works as natural sun screening.
- Winter buffer: evergreen cover (ivy) adds an insulating air layer.
- Wildlife: ivy flowers in October as one of the last bee plants; blackbirds and wrens nest in mature cover.
- Noise and dust: foliage dampens street noise and captures particulates — noticeable on busy roads.
- Rainwater: slows run-off during cloudbursts, especially combined with a green roof.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a green facade cost?
A self-clinging climber costs €15–€50 per plant and covers 10–20 m² of wall within a few years — by far the cheapest form. A wired system with planting runs €50–€200 per m². Full living-wall systems start at several hundred euros per m² and need a maintenance contract.
Which climbers are evergreen?
Ivy is the classic evergreen and grows almost anywhere. Star jasmine (Trachelospermum) is evergreen and fragrant but wants a sheltered sunny wall. Evergreen honeysuckle (Lonicera henryi) holds its leaf in mild winters.
How fast does a wall green over?
Fast growers like Virginia creeper cover a facade in 2–3 years; ivy and climbing hydrangea take 3–5 years but then look good for decades. For quicker results, plant several per metre.
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