Diy Green Wall

DIY Green Wall

by Kenniese S. Franklin

a work in progress

While running errands last week, I noticed a man tossing Japanese Maple limbs to the curb. I’ve been mesmerized by these delicate, scarlet leaflets and their subtle sway all spring, so my instinct was to pull over and take a few cuttings. A few turned into the whole backseat. I got cuttings ranging from 10 inches to 5 feet. I figured the smaller cuttings were perfect for planting and decided to build a green wall with the large ones. I foraged foliage for the rest of the afternoon.

It’s been a year since my last green wall.

I forgot how tedious the process is. How naive of me to think this impromptu project would take two hours. After half a day of meticulous finger work, I still hadn’t finished. But since this was a Mother’s Day surprise, I had to make it look somewhat complete before the mother arrived. I draped the remaining greenery around the entry way and speckled it with vases, candle holders, potted plants and whatever else I could find around the house. The greenwall blossomed into an entryway altar.

I steeply underestimated the amount of energy I’d have to expend to complete it and truthfully I never finished. I intended to complete it, but other things are requiring my attention at this time (more on this soon). And yet, even in its unfinished state, the green wall brought life to the entry way a smile to my mother’s face. Watch me in action below.

Matching set by Tamara Tashna.

Written by Kenniese S. Franklin