Vertical and Roof Gardens Design & Management Online Course
Expand your horticultural and landscaping expertise by learning how to maximise plant growth in challenging urban settings. Develop practical skills in designing and creating green infrastructure solutions that enhance both residential and commercial spaces, while positioning yourself at the forefront of modern landscape design.
Course Duration: 100 hours. Self-paced.
COURSE COTENT
There is 9 lessons in this course.
Scope and Nature of Roof and Vertical Gardens
- Introduction to vertical gardens and roof gardens in horticulture today
- Reasons for Green Walls and Roof Gardens
- Accessibility and Safety
- What Is A Roof Garden?
- Terminology
- What Is A Vertical Garden?
- Pruning Prevents Problems
- Decorative Plant Supports
- Temporary Props
- Types of Installations for Roof Gardens
- Types of Vertical Gardens
- Proprietary Products
- Plant Selection
- Retrofitting a Building
Construction of Functional and Appropriate Vertical and Roof Gardens
- Engineering considerations involved with the building of vertical and roof gardens
- Selecting appropriate materials and planning the way in which the non-living components of the garden are created
- Building a Green Roof
- Building a Green Wall
- Dealing with Weight
- Construction Materials
- Durability of Materials
- Dealing with Water
- Plants Which Cause Damage
- Components of a Green Roof
- Roof Membranes
- Protection Material Components
Climbing Plants and Structures for Climbing
- Learn how to select appropriate climbing plants for creating vertical or roof gardens
- Determine strategies to cultivate climbing plants in a variety of different situations
- Climbing adaptations found in plants
- Possible Climbers for Vertical Green Walls and Some Types of Green Roofs
- What Structural Requirements Do Climbers Require?
- Plants on Fences
- Using Trellis in Roof Gardens and on Green Walls
Plants Suited to Roof and Vertical Gardens
- Selecting appropriate plants which are tolerant of adverse growing conditions
- Possible Plants Suitable for Roof Gardens and Some Types of Vertical Walls
- Epiphytes
- Succulents
- Plants
- Hardy Groundcovers
Adaptations for Other Plants in Roof and Vertical Gardens
- Select and plan the cultivation of plants that lack natural adaptations
- Espaliers
- Growing Standards
- Dwarfing Rootstocks
- NFT Systems
- Trees and Shrubs
- Low-Growing Native Shrubs
- Other Low-Growing Shrubs
- Vegetables and Fruits
- Herbs
- Annuals
- Bulbs
Container Growing
- Container Growing Techniques
- Containers
- Raised Beds for Flat Roofs
- Window Boxes
- Epiphyte Plaques
- Baskets
- The Growing Media
- Choosing Plants
- Longevity of Container Plants
Maintenance – Watering, Pest Control
- Out of Sight/Out of Mind
- Humidity
- Light and Shade
- Mulch
- Pot Surfaces
- Water Savers
- Irrigation Requirements
- Maintaining Appropriate Water Levels
Landscaping – Roof Gardens
- The Different Types of Roof Gardens
- Characteristics Advantageous in Roof Garden Plants
- Tips for Functional Roof Gardens
- How to Minimize Damage to Your Plants When You Move Them
- Thoughts on Balcony Gardens
- Irrigation
Landscaping – Vertical Gardens
- Types of Green Walls
- Types of Walls
- Design Considerations
- Aesthetics
- Functionality
Emerging Opportunities!
The demand for green walls and rooftop gardens is increasing due to:
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Sustainable building initiatives
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Urban heat reduction strategies
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Green Star and environmental building standards
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Stormwater management requirements
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Increased urban density
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Demand for attractive outdoor living spaces
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Corporate sustainability programs
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Rooftop food production and urban farming
This course is aimed at those seeking specialised information in how to design and create green walls and roof gardens. It can be studied by itself or along with other horticulture and landscape design modules as part of a certificate or higher-level qualification.
Careers The Demand This Skillset
| Green Roof Designer |
Vertical Garden Designer |
Landscape Designer |
Landscape Contractor |
| Designs rooftop gardens for residential, commercial and public buildings. |
Creates living wall systems for indoor and outdoor environments. |
Incorporates green roofs and vertical gardens into broader landscape projects. |
Installs and maintains green infrastructure projects, including roof gardens and green walls. |
| Horticulturist |
Urban Greening Consultant |
Green Infrastructure Specialist |
Building Designer |
| Selects, establishes and manages plants used in roof and vertical garden systems. |
Advises councils, developers and organisations on urban greening solutions. |
Plans and implements sustainable green infrastructure projects. |
Integrates green roofs and living walls into building designs. |
| Architectural Landscape Consultant |
Sustainable Design Consultant |
Plantscaper |
Irrigation Designer |
| Works with architects to create functional and attractive green spaces. |
Provides advice on sustainable landscape and building practices. |
Designs and installs interior and exterior plant displays and living walls. |
Designs irrigation systems for roof gardens and vertical landscapes. |
| Roof Garden Installer |
Green Wall Installation Technician |
Property Maintenance Specialist |
Nursery Professional |
| Constructs and establishes rooftop garden systems. |
Installs proprietary green wall and living wall systems. |
Maintains green roofs, living walls and associated landscapes. |
Produces and supplies plants suitable for green infrastructure projects. |
| Environmental Consultant |
Urban Agriculture Entrepreneur |
Landscape Sales Consultant |
Business Owner |
| Advises on biodiversity, sustainability and environmental outcomes. |
Develops rooftop food gardens and urban farming ventures. |
Advises clients on plants, systems and materials for green projects. |
Operates a specialist green wall, roof garden or urban greening business. |