In our May issue of Mpls.St.Paul Home, Scott Endres, co-owner of Tangletown Gardens, gave us a step-by-step tutorial on “30-minute gardens.” He showed us how to create an easy landscape container garden (which was our mini version of a roof garden) and a vertical garden—inspired by Wise Acre Eatery (which if you haven’t been, go for both the food and the earthy, chic decor!) where a “living wall” runs along the walls and above the doorways, creating a green, lush, dramatic backdrop. “We’re plant people, for us it’s second nature, but we understand not everyone would want an indoor irrigation drip system or something at that height,” Endres says. True to his word, he scaled down the concept for an at-home DIY approach that works both indoors and out. Here’s how: 

1. Choose a location, indoors or outdoors, the back of a door or on a fence or wall, to hang a series of planters. Just like in the restaurant, Endres uses Wooley Pockets, which are soft, flexible, wall planters made from 100 percent recycled plastic water bottles and can be nailed into place.

2. Add plenty of potting soil that has a high water holding capacity and then start planting.

3. Use your eye to create a visual garden while planting. Endres mixes colors, textures, and various heights, using durable foliage, such as ferns, grasses, or spider plants.

4. Get creative. Or ask your nursery what would work best in your location. Endres loves throwback houseplants, such as Rex Begonia, Swinging Linda, and African Mask. However, he says to avoid herbs. If you want a vertical herb garden, be prepared to be constantly editing rather than admiring.

5. Water every other day outside or once a week inside. And voila, you’ve got an easy-to-create, easy-to-care for, on-trend vertical garden.