By: Aaron Baunee, managing editor A GROWING Trend Interior plantscapes are challenging the notion that flora can only be found outdoors. Aaron Baunee, a graduate of the University at Albany with a double major in history and journalism, is the managing edi-tor of Cleaning & Maintenance Management magazine. He can be reached at ABaunee@ NTPMedia.com. In his years with the publication, Baunee has amassed numerous articles, columns and commentaries pertaining to commercial clean-ing and maintenance. Baunee encourages readers to com-municate editorial ideas to him and welcomes discussions on pertinent industry happenings. Connect through social media: LinkedIn.com/in/AaronBaunee, Facebook.com/CMMOnline and Twitter.com/CMeNewsDaily. V for more info Visit www.cmmonline.com and type in search keyword: Facility Maintenance . For more information on related products, visit www.cmmonline.com , select SUPPLIER SEARCH from the main navigation bar, and enter keyword: Plantscapes . Vertical walls, vegitecture, living art, vertical gar-dens, biotecture, green walls — call them what you will. Interior plantscapes are becoming a sought-after addition to commercial spaces looking to add aesthetics and improve indoor environmental quality. According to Vince Elliott, founder of Elliott Affiliates Ltd. and president of the Chemical Free Cleaning Network (CFCN), research is demon-strating that certain plants are very effective natural air purifiers. “Not only are they cheaper to buy than chemi-cals or mechanical air purifiers, they don’t need filter changes, use no electricity and improve our health,” says Elliott. By selecting specific plants that complement a certain décor, building owners and facility man-agers can add that final touch to an interior space to make it more welcoming. Aside from various colors and textures of plants and the containers in which they grow, each vari-ance of foliage has a specific role. For example, vegetation like bamboo palm, peace lily and spider plants are great at removing formaldehyde — which can be found in cleaning products, fire retardants in furnishings, carpet backings and elsewhere — from the air. “Vertical gardening provides air filtration, cli-mate moderation and visually stunning plants in places not conducive to traditional gardens,” states Daryl McCann, senior landscape architect for Gregory Lombardi Design Inc. Where To Start? Large and small, tall and short; interior plantscapes can be incorporated into virtually any space. And, you do not need dedicated irrigation sys-tems, dirt, mulch or peat moss if your facility can-not accommodate it. If potential pests are a concern, soil-free sys-tems are an attractive option because they elimi-nate the moist soil and mulch that bugs like to make their hiding spots. “Soil-free growing entails less weight, less mess and less bulk than traditional green walls, making it particularly well suited to courtyards, roof ter-races and small indoor spaces,” notes McCann. Instead of soil, these systems incorporate crushed stone or synthetic medium that allow roots to take hold and, depending on your array, a hydroponic system to deliver fresh water. 12 CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management ® • July 2012
CMM – Archives July2012: 12
