Abstract:
A panel assembly includes a plurality of open faced cells fluidly interconnected for retaining a growing medium and live vegetation in a vertical orientation of the panel assembly. The fluid interconnection of the cells provides for gravitationally induced water transfer from the growing medium of a first cell to the growing medium of a second cell, as well as root growth between the cells.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       LIMITED PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING” 
       [0004]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0006]    The present invention relates to a system for supporting live vegetation growth in an inclined or vertical orientation and more particularly to an open face, inclined or vertically oriented assembly for retaining and sustaining vegetation. 
         [0007]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0008]    Increased education and sensitivity has raised the awareness of impact of environmental conditions by humans and on humans. Thus, the interplay between human controlled environmental conditions and natural conditions is more aggressively explored for enhancing available conditions for humans, while reducing negative impact on the environment. For example, a NASA study found that common house plants could improve air quality. In fact, the NASA study reported that houseplants were able to remove up to 87% of certain air toxins in 24 hours. 
         [0009]    Portions of the medical community have stated that house plants make people feel calmer and more optimistic. Such studies have shown that hospital patients who face a window with a garden view recovered more quickly than those who had to look at a wall. 
         [0010]    According to a Norwegian University of Agriculture study, indoor plants can reduce fatigue, coughs, sore throats and other cold-related illnesses by more than 30%, partially by increasing humidity levels and decreasing dust. 
         [0011]    Even office and work environments are beginning to add indoor plants to improve employee health and morale. According to one study published in Rehabilitation Literature, a manufacturing company integrated plants into its office so that no employee would be more than 45 feet from greenery, consequently, company administrators reported enhanced creativity and increased productivity in employees. 
         [0012]    While traditional pots have been used to retain indoor plants, the pots suffer from numerous disadvantages. For example, the pots occupy a comparatively large foot print relative to the amount of sustained vegetation. In addition, traditional pots often employ an excessive amount of soil than is required and thus are hydrologically inefficient, which can lead to increased maintenance costs or loss of plants. 
         [0013]    Therefore, the need exists for a system of retaining and supporting indoor vegetation, while reducing the required footprint. The need also exists for a vegetation support system that efficiently sustains a relatively large vegetation growth, while reducing or minimizing maintenance and water requirements. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    A panel assembly for retaining and sustaining vegetation is disclosed. The panel assembly sustains vegetation growth in an inclined or vertical orientation of the assembly, thereby reducing the required footprint of the assembly, while providing enhanced vegetation. 
         [0015]    In one configuration, the panel assembly includes a tray having an impervious back wall and a peripheral wall extending perpendicular to the back wall; and a plurality of divider walls extending perpendicular from the back wall, the divider walls defining a plurality of cells within the peripheral wall and a growing medium in the cells, wherein the cells include a first cell, an upper adjacent cell and a lower adjacent cell, the divider walls including apertures between the first cell and the upper adjacent cell, and the first cell and the lower adjacent cell; and a coupling connected to a rear surface of the back wall, the coupling including a weight bearing surface supporting the tray in a vertical orientation. 
         [0016]    The divider walls and apertures are sized to sustain root growth through the apertures, so that a given plant has roots extending between at least two cells. In selected configurations, the apertures are located to preclude pooling of liquid in the first cell. 
         [0017]    The panel assembly can also include an irrigation drip pan disposed above a top wall and an irrigation catch basin below the bottom wall. 
         [0018]    The present assembly also provides for supporting vegetation by disposing a growing medium in a plurality of cells within a tray, the tray having an impervious back wall, a peripheral wall extending perpendicular to the back wall and a plurality of divider walls extending perpendicular from the back wall, the divider walls defining a plurality of cells within the peripheral wall including a first cell, an upper adjacent cell and a lower adjacent cell, the divider walls including apertures between the first cell and the horizontally adjacent cell, and the first cell and the vertically adjacent cell; orienting the tray to a vertical position; and passing water through the growing medium from the upper adjacent cell through the aperture to the first cell. 
         [0019]    Seeding of the vertically oriented tray is provided by disposing a growing medium in a plurality of cells within a horizontally disposed tray, the tray having an impervious back wall, a peripheral wall extending perpendicular to the back wall and a plurality of divider walls extending perpendicular from the back wall, the divider walls defining a plurality of cells within the peripheral wall including a first cell, an upper adjacent cell and a lower adjacent cell, the divider walls including apertures between the first cell and the upper adjacent cell, and the first cell and the lower adjacent cell; watering the growing medium in the cells of the horizontally disposed tray; compressing the watered growing medium in the horizontally disposed tray; disposing vegetation into the watered and compressed growing medium; and orienting the tray into a vertical orientation. 
         [0020]    The panel assembly includes a plurality of open faced cells, wherein the cells are fluidly interconnected for retaining a growing medium and live vegetation in a vertical orientation of the panel assembly and for supporting root growth through the apertures between adjacent cells. The root growth and loading of the growing medium minimize or substantially preclude the growing medium falling from the open face cells when the panel assembly is disposed in an inclined or vertical orientation. The fluid interconnection of the cells provides for gravitationally induced water transfer from the growing medium of a first cell to the growing medium of a second cell. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a panel assembly for retaining a growing medium and vegetation in a vertical orientation. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the panel assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a tray used in the panel assembly. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the tray of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a top wall of the panel assembly. 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of the top wall of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a divider wall for horizontal incorporation into the panel assembly. 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a side elevational view of the divider wall of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a divider wall for vertical incorporation into the panel assembly. 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of the divider wall of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  is a schematic representation of an alternative cell configuration. 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  is a schematic representation of another alternative cell configuration. 
           [0033]      FIG. 13  is a schematic representation of a further cell configuration. 
           [0034]      FIG. 14  is a side elevational view of a coupling for mounting the panel assembly in a vertical orientation. 
           [0035]      FIG. 15  is a side elevational view of an alternative coupling for mounting the panel assembly in a vertical orientation. 
           [0036]      FIG. 16  is a front elevational view of an alternative configuration of the panel assembly. 
           [0037]      FIG. 17  is a side elevational view of the panel assembly of  FIG. 16 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 18  is a top plan view of the panel assembly of  FIG. 16 . 
           [0039]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the panel assembly of  FIG. 16 . 
           [0040]      FIG. 20  is a cross sectional view taken along lines  20 - 20  of  FIG. 19 . 
           [0041]      FIG. 21  is a front elevational view of a divider assembly of the panel assembly of  FIG. 16 . 
           [0042]      FIG. 22  is a side elevational view of the divider assembly of  FIG. 21 . 
           [0043]      FIG. 23  is a front elevational view of a tray of the panel assembly of  FIG. 16 . 
           [0044]      FIG. 24  is a side elevational view of the tray of  FIG. 23 . 
           [0045]      FIG. 25  is a perspective view of the introduction of the divider assembly into the tray to form the panel assembly of  FIG. 16 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0046]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a panel assembly  10  is disclosed having a plurality of cells  12  sized to retain a growing medium  180 , wherein vegetation  190  is cultivated in the growing medium such that vegetation grows through the growing medium from one cell to an adjacent cell. As seen in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the panel assembly  10  is connected to a support  14  for retention in an inclined or vertical orientation. The support  14  can be any of a variety of structures, such as but not limited to existing walls including timber, metal or masonry, as well as stands or frames of sufficient structural integrity to retain the panel assembly. The term “vertical” encompasses perpendicular to the floor or ground as well as inclined to approximately 20° (or 4:12 pitch). 
         [0047]    In one configuration, the panel assembly  10  includes a tray  20  having a peripheral wall  30  extending from a back wall  32 ; and a plurality of divider walls  50  within the peripheral wall, the divider walls defining a plurality of cells  12 . As seen in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the panel assembly  10  is operably oriented in a vertical orientation. 
         [0048]    The tray  20  includes the back wall  32 , wherein the back wall is impervious to water penetration as well as root growth. The back wall  32  is formed as a planar member, and can be constructed of a variety of materials including metals, plastics and composites. A satisfactory material has been found to be aluminum zinc or stainless steel. The back wall  32  can be formed of stainless steel having a thickness between approximately 0.025 inches and 0.050 inches, wherein a thickness of 0.032 inches has been found satisfactory. 
         [0049]    The peripheral wall  30  includes two opposing parallel side walls  34 , 36 , a bottom wall  38  and a top wall  42 . In the configurations shown in  FIG. 1 , the top wall  42  and the bottom wall  38  are horizontal, and the side walls  34 , 36  extend vertically between the top and bottom walls. 
         [0050]    The peripheral wall  30  extends from the back wall  32  to terminate at a free edge  31  spaced from the back wall  32 . Thus, the peripheral wall  30  has a height extending from the back wall  32  to the free edge  31  of the peripheral wall  30 . In selected configurations, the peripheral wall  30  has a height of between approximately 2 inches to 8 inches, with a typical height of the peripheral wall being approximately 4 inches to 6 inches. 
         [0051]    In the configuration shown in  FIG. 1 , the peripheral wall  30  has a common height. That is, the side walls  34 , 36 , top wall  42  and bottom wall  38  are of the same height. However, it is understood alternative configurations can include different heights among the side walls  34 , 36 , the top wall  42  and the bottom wall  38 . 
         [0052]    While depending in part on the intended operating characteristics of the panel assembly  10 , the top wall  42  and the bottom wall  38  include at least one aperture  43 , 39  corresponding to each defined cell  12 . The side walls  34 , 36  are impervious to water and root penetration, as with the back wall  32 . The apertures  43 , 39  in the top wall  42  and the bottom wall  38  are selected to permit the ready passage of water as well as vegetation growth. 
         [0053]    As seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the top wall  42  includes mounting tabs  44  and a mounting flange  46  for joining the top wall to the back wall  32  and the side walls  34 , 36 . The top wall  42  also includes an upwardly inclined lip  48 . 
         [0054]    Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , approximately 2% to 80% of the top wall  42  is apertured. That is, in one configuration, approximately, 10% of the material of the top wall  42  is removed to form the corresponding apertures  43 . 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , approximately 2% to 80% of the bottom wall  38  is apertured. That is, in one configuration, approximately, 10% of the material of the bottom wall  38  is removed to form the corresponding apertures  39 . 
         [0056]    Although the configuration of the panel assembly  10  having similarly apertured top wall  42  and bottom wall  38 , it is understood the top wall  42  and the bottom walls  38  can each have a unique aperture pattern. 
         [0057]    In one configuration, the side walls  34 , 36  are impervious to water penetration as well as root penetration. However, depending upon the intended operating configuration of the panel assembly  10 , one or both of the side walls  34 , 36  can include apertures. That is, for a pair of adjacent panel assemblies  10 , the abutting sidewalls can include apertures, thereby permitting vegetation growth between the adjacent panel assemblies. Alternatively, it is understood that the panel assemblies  10  may remain as independent units by employing impervious sidewalls  34 , 36 , thereby precluding inter-panel vegetation growth. 
         [0058]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the side walls  34 , 36  extend above the top wall  42  by a distance sufficient to form a corresponding keyway  35 , 37 . Thus, the keyway  35 , 37  is located outside of the area enclosed by the peripheral wall  30 . The keyway  35 , 37  is selected to facilitate interconnection of the panel assembly  10  to an adjacent panel assembly  10 , without requiring an aperture between the otherwise impervious sidewalls. 
         [0059]    The divider walls  50  define a plurality of cells  12  within the peripheral wall  30 . The divider walls  50  can be configured to define any of a variety of cell structures. For example, the cells  12  can be rectangular and defined by horizontally and vertically extending divider walls  50 , as seen in  FIG. 1 . Alternatively, the divider walls  50  can extend at an inclined angle relative to the top wall  42  and the bottom wall  38 , thereby defining diamond shaped cells, as seen in  FIG. 11 . Further, as shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the divider walls  50  can include inclined intersecting divider walls as well as vertical and/or horizontal intersecting divider walls. Thus, the resulting cells  12  can be rectangular, square or triangular. Depending on the intended operating environment and supported vegetation, the cells  12  can be defined by three, four, five or more divider walls  50 . 
         [0060]    Generally, the divider walls  50  are elongate planar members. However, it is understood the divider walls  50  can include a concavity or a plurality of concavities that are arranged to correspond to the number of cells  12 . Typically, any such concavity is located at the center of the respective cell  12 . 
         [0061]    Referring to  FIGS. 11 ,  12  and  13 , the divider walls can be arranged to define cells that are rectangular or triangular, wherein the triangular cells include a vertical or a horizontal wall. The apertures in the respective divider walls  50  are located to minimize or preclude the pooling of liquid, such as water, in the bottom of the given cell  12 . That is, the lowest portion of the divider walls  50  defining a cell  12  include or are adjacent to an aperture communicating with a cell of a lower elevation. 
         [0062]    The divider walls  50  extend perpendicular to the back wall  32 , and thus are substantially horizontally oriented. It is contemplated selected divider walls  50  can include a front lip  52  at the free edge  31 . The lip  52  is constructed to slope upward at an angle between approximately 5° to 60° wherein an angle of approximately 45° has been found satisfactory. However, the lip is an optional structure. 
         [0063]    Generally, the plurality of cells  12  can be described as including a given cell having at least a first adjacent cell and a second adjacent cell. Depending on the particular configuration of the divider walls  50  and hence the cells  12 , there can be three, four or more adjacent cells to the given cell. 
         [0064]    Generally, the divider walls  50  define the plurality of cells  12 , wherein a given cell has an upper adjacent cell and a lower adjacent cell. Depending upon the particular configuration of the divider walls  50 , the given cell can have a plurality of upper adjacent cells and a plurality of lower adjacent cells. The upper adjacent cell has a bottom that is above the bottom of the given cell, and the lower adjacent cell has a bottom that is below the bottom of the given cell. 
         [0065]    In the construction shown in  FIG. 1 , the divider walls  50  extend horizontally and vertically, thereby defining a plurality of rectangular cells  12 . Each cell is defined by two horizontal divider walls  54  and two vertical divider walls  64 . In this construction, the horizontal divider walls  54  have a plurality of apertures  55 , wherein the apertures are spaced so that each cell  12  has an aperture exposed to an adjacent cell above the given cell and an aperture exposed to an adjacent cell below the given cell. 
         [0066]    In the configuration of the divider walls  50  having a concavity, the respective aperture  55  is located at the apex of the concavity, thereby reducing the tendency of water to pool on the divider wall, or within the concavity or the cell  12 . 
         [0067]    The apertures  55  are sized to permit the transmission of water and well as vegetation growth through the aperture. The spacing and sizing of the apertures  55  is selected to reduce or substantially preclude the pooling of water within a given cell  12 , which would otherwise contribute to detrimental plant environment and conditions, such as root rot. 
         [0068]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , approximately 2% to 80% of the horizontal divider wall  54  for a rectangular cell is apertured. That is, in one configuration, approximately, 10% of the material of the horizontal divider wall  54  is removed to form the corresponding apertures. 
         [0069]    Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the horizontal divider walls  54  include the front lip  52  and terminal mounting tabs  56 . The mounting tabs  56  are constructed for engaging the corresponding side wall to retain the horizontal divider wall relative to the peripheral wall  30 . The horizontal divider walls  54  also include a plurality of spaced engaging slots  57 . In the configuration of  FIGS. 1 ,  7 , and  8 , the engaging slots  57  extend from the lip  52  to approximately one half the width of the wall. 
         [0070]    It has been found advantageous for the vertical divider walls  64  to include apertures  65 , thereby forming horizontal communication between adjacent cells  12 . The apertures  65  in the vertical divider walls  64  are also sized to permit the transmission of water and well as vegetation growth through the aperture  65 . 
         [0071]    Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , approximately 2% to 80% of the vertical divider wall  64  for a rectangular cell is apertured. That is, in one configuration, approximately, 10% of the material of the vertical divider wall  64  is removed to form the corresponding apertures. 
         [0072]    Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the vertical divider wall  64  includes terminal mounting tabs  66  and an extending mounting flange  68 . The mounting tabs  66  and mounting flange  68  are constructed for engaging the side walls  34 , 36  and back wall  32 , respectively, to retain the vertical divider wall relative to the peripheral wall  30 . The vertical divider walls  54  also include a plurality of spaced engaging slots  67 . The engaging slots  67  are spaced at the desired separation (or frequency) of the horizontal divider walls  54 . 
         [0073]    Although the configuration of the panel assembly  10  having different horizontal divider walls  54  and vertical divider walls  64  has been set forth, it is understood the divider walls can be identical structures, each having the same aperture pattern. 
         [0074]    In the configuration shown in  FIG. 1 , the divider walls  50  have a common height. That is, the horizontal divider walls  54  and vertical divider walls  64  are of the same height. However, it is understood alternative configurations can include different heights for the horizontal divider walls  54  and the vertical divider walls  64 . 
         [0075]    The panel assembly  10  includes a coupling  80  connected to a rear surface of the back wall  32 , wherein the coupling is configured to support or retain the panel assembly in a vertical orientation. Generally, the coupling  80  includes a weight bearing surface supporting the tray  20  in the vertical orientation. 
         [0076]    In one construction of the coupling  80 , the back wall  32  extends above the top wall  42 , wherein the portion of the back wall extending above the top wall includes a bracket or channel  82  adjacent an upper edge of the back wall. The coupling  80  thus can engage a flange or projecting bolt or stud from the support  14  for suspending the panel assembly  10  in a vertical orientation. 
         [0077]    In another construction of the coupling  80 , the portion of the back wall  32  extending above the top wall  42  includes at least one and preferably two or more keyways  85 . The keyways  85  are sized to pass the head of a stud or bolt so as to then apply the load of the panel assembly  10  on the shank of the bolt or stud. 
         [0078]    The coupling  80  can cooperate with a flange or bracket  90  that is mounted to the support  14 . The flange or bracket  90  can be mounted with any of a variety of fasteners including threaded screws or bolts. Thus, the coupling  80  can engage the bracket to retain the panel assembly  10  relative to the support  14 . 
         [0079]    It is also contemplated the panel assembly  10  can be raised and lowered on a track or rail system, wherein the tracks are vertically oriented to provide for the panels sliding up and down along the tracks. In this construction, the tray is connected to the tracks, such as by welding, bolts, straps or fasteners. 
         [0080]    As seen in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the panel assembly  10  also includes an irrigation drip pan  110  and an irrigation catch basin  120 . The irrigation drip pan  110  is disposed above the top wall  42  and retains a volume of liquid for introduction into the growing medium. The liquid can be water, or water based solution incorporating nutrients or chemicals as dictated by the requirements of the vegetation. The irrigation drip pan  110  generally functions as a reservoir for retaining the liquid, wherein a bottom of the drip pan includes apertures  111  sized to permit passage of the liquid at a controlled rate. The controlled rate is not active, but rather is dictated by the aperture size. Satisfactory apertures sizes range from approximately 1/64 to ⅛ inches. The irrigation drip pan  110  is sized to nest onto the top of the top wall  42 , and be retained by the upwardly extending side walls  34 , 36  and the back wall  32 . 
         [0081]    The irrigation catch basin  120  is retained below the bottom wall  38  to retain liquid passing through the apertures  39  in the bottom wall. The irrigation catch basin  120  has a bottom and peripheral wall  30  having an open top that define a reservoir to retain the liquid. The irrigation catch basin  120  has a capacity greater than the irrigation drip pan  110 , thereby reducing the cycling of emptying the irrigation catch basin  120 . In one configuration, the irrigation catch basin  120  is independently coupled to the support  14 . Thus, the irrigation catch basin  120  can be removed, emptied and reinstalled without requiring movement or displacement of the tray  20 . The irrigation catch basin  120  includes a coupling  124 , similar to the tray  20  for engaging the support  14 . In one configuration, the coupling  124  on the irrigation catch basin  120  is the same as the tray  20 , thereby providing for installation and retention by a single type or style of mounting into the support  14 . Further, in one configuration of the irrigation catch basin  120 , the peripheral wall  30  includes a front wall  126  which projects from the support  14 , or plane of the back wall  32 , a greater distance than the free edge  31  of the peripheral wall  30 . The horizontal distance between the free edge  31  of the peripheral wall  30  and the front wall  126  of the irrigation catch basin  120  is selected so that material falling from the vegetation in the tray  20  drops into the irrigation catch basin  120 . 
         [0082]    A growing medium  180 , or soil composition, is disposed within the cells  12 . The growing medium  180  can comprise any nutrient laden medium that provides nutrients to the plants and can include combinations of soils, rocks, or other lightweight material into which the roots can grow to provide a stable base for the vegetation. The growing medium  180  typically comprises a mixture of soil and rock complying with ASTM-D422. The specific composition of the growing medium  180  is at least partially determined by the intended vegetation to be grown and the environmental conditions to which the panel assembly  10  will be subjected. 
         [0083]    The vegetation or plant growth  190  is cultivated in the growing medium  180 . A root system of the vegetation  190  binds the growing medium  180  within the given cell  12 . Further, the roots can migrate through the apertures  55 , 65  in the divider walls  50 , thereby further retaining the growing medium  180  and the vegetation  190  in the cells  12 . 
         [0084]    The vegetation  190  can be any of a variety of plants compatible with the intended environment of the panel assembly  10 . 
         [0085]    Construction of the panel assembly  10  includes forming the tray  20 , wherein the back wall  32 , the side walls  34 , 36 , and the bottom wall  38  can be formed from a single blank of material. The blank can be stamped and folded to form the structure in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
         [0086]    The respective divider walls  50  and top wall  42  are formed and interconnected by the corresponding engaging slots  57  and  67 . The divider walls  50  are then connected to the peripheral wall  30  and back wall  32  by mechanical fasteners or bonding such as spot or tack welding along the respective mounting tabs  56 , 66  and flanges  68 . 
         [0087]    The panel assembly  10  is then loaded with growing medium  180  and vegetation  190 . In one method of loading the growing medium  180  and the vegetation  190 , the panel assembly  10  is disposed in a horizontal position so that the cells  12  open upward. Growing medium  180  is then disposed into the cells  12 . The growing medium  180  is then moistened with water. A satisfactory moisture content of the watered growing medium  180  has been found to be between approximately 5% and approximately 50%. The moistened growing medium  180  is then compacted, typically by hand although mechanical devices can be employed to subject the moistened growing medium to a compressive force. The amount of compaction depends in part on the composition of the growing medium  180 . Satisfactory compaction has been found to include 5% to 25% from the initial moistened state. 
         [0088]    The vegetation  190  is then disposed into the compacted, moistened growing medium  180 . The panel assembly  10  is then supported in the vertical orientation by the coupling  80 . 
         [0089]    In use, liquid such as water is introduced into the irrigation drip pan  110 . The water passes from the irrigation drip pan  110 , through the top wall  42  and into the uppermost row of cells  12 . The liquid migrates downward through the apertures  39  in the respective divider walls  50 , to exit through the apertures  39  in the bottom wall  38 . The liquid is then collected in the irrigation catch basin  120 . As the irrigation catch basin  120  can be selectively removed from the panel assembly  10 , the collected liquid can be emptied, or recycled as necessary. 
         [0090]    Referring to  FIGS. 16-25 , an alternative configuration of the panel assembly  10  is shown. In the alternative configuration, the panel assembly includes a tray  220  and a divider assembly  250 . 
         [0091]    The tray  220  includes side walls  234 , 236  extending from a back wall  232 , wherein the tray cooperates with the divider assembly  250  to define the plurality of cells  12 . As with the first configuration of the panel assembly  10 , the panel assembly can be operably oriented in a vertical orientation to an inclined orientation greater than approximately 4:12. 
         [0092]    The tray  220  includes the back wall  232 , wherein the back wall is impervious to water penetration as well as root growth. The back wall  232  is formed as a planar member, and can be constructed of a variety of materials including metals, plastics and composites. A satisfactory material has been found to be aluminum or stainless steel. The back wall  232  can be formed of stainless steel having a thickness between approximately 0.025 inches and 0.050 inches, wherein a thickness of 0.032 inches has been found satisfactory. 
         [0093]    The two opposing parallel side walls  234 , 236  extend perpendicularly from the back wall  232 . 
         [0094]    The side walls  234 , 236  extend from the back wall  232  to terminate at a free edge  231  spaced from the back wall  232 . Thus, the side walls  234 , 236  have a height extending from the back wall  232  to the free edge  231 . In selected configurations, the side walls  234 , 236  have a height of between approximately 2 inches to 8 inches, with a typical height of the side walls being approximately 4 inches to 6 inches. 
         [0095]    In the configuration shown in  FIGS. 16-25 , the side walls  234 , 236  have a common height. However, it is understood alternative configurations can include different heights between the side walls  234 , 236 . 
         [0096]    A lower or bottom end of each of the side walls  234 , 236  includes a taper  238 , such that the side walls bend towards each other. The taper  238  extends along a length between approximately 0.5 inches to 3 inches, with a length of approximately 1.5 inches found to be satisfactory. The convergence of the tapers  238  is between approximately ⅛ inch and 1.5 inches, with a convergence of approximately 0.2 to 0.3 inches for each taper found to be satisfactory. 
         [0097]    The lower end of each taper  238  includes a stop  240 , wherein each stop projects towards the opposing side wall. 
         [0098]    The free edge of the side walls  234 , 236  is defined by a hem  242 . In one configuration, the hem  242  is integral with the side wall and is a folded over portion to overlie an adjacent section of the respective side wall to form a trough. The trough and the back wall  232  thus define a channel  235  extending along the back wall. In one configuration, the hem  242  extends along respective side wall except along the taper  238 . While the taper  238  can be formed with the hem  242 , it has been found satisfactory to form the hem along the linear or straight portion of the respective side wall  234 , 236 . 
         [0099]    The panel assembly  10  of  FIGS. 16-25  includes the coupling  80  connected to a rear surface of the back wall  232  as previously described. 
         [0100]    The divider assembly  250  includes horizontal divider walls  254  and vertical divider walls  264  corresponding to the horizontal divider walls  54  and vertical divider walls  64 . The horizontal divider walls  254  and the vertical divider walls  264  include apertures as set forth in the description of the horizontal and vertical divider walls  54 ,  64 . 
         [0101]    However, in contrast to the first embodiment, the divider assembly  250  includes a top wall  258  and a bottom wall  268 , wherein the vertical divider walls  264  include terminal tabs  266  for engaging the respective top wall and bottom wall of the divider assembly. The top wall  258  has a width substantially equal to the spacing between the side walls  234 , 236  of the tray  220 . The bottom wall  268  has a width that is less than the top wall  258 , wherein the width of the bottom wall is sized to be received between the tapers  238 . 
         [0102]    As seen in  FIGS. 21 ,  22  and  25 , the divider assembly  250  further includes lateral walls  272 , 274 , wherein the lateral walls extend from the top wall  258  to terminate a distance from the bottom wall  268 , thereby forming a gap  275 . The gap  275  is sized to substantially match the taper  238  of the tray  220 . That is, the vertical dimension of the gap  275  substantially equals to the vertical dimension of the taper  238 . The bottom wall  268  of the divider assembly  250  is sized to extend between lower ends of the taper  238  of each side wall  234 ,  236 . 
         [0103]    The horizontal divider walls  254  extend between the lateral walls  272 ,  274  and can include any of a variety of mechanical interlock features such as tabs, flanges or detents. Further, the top wall  258 , the bottom wall  268 , the horizontal divider walls  254  and the vertical divider walls  264  can include flanges or tabs for overlying a portion of the back wall  232  for attachment to the back wall. 
         [0104]    The panel assembly of  FIGS. 16-25  is formed by constructing the divider assembly  250  and the tray  220 . The lateral walls  272 , 274  of the divider assembly  250  are then slid into corresponding channels  235  of the tray  220  to locate the divider assembly within the tray. The bottom wall  268  of the divider assembly  250  contacts the stop  240  of each side wall  234 , 236  and the taper  238  extends from the end of the bottom wall to the width of the horizontal divider walls  254 . The back wall  232  can include a lower flange sized to contact the bottom wall  268 . Thus, the top wall forms a top wall of the panel assembly  10  and the bottom wall  268  of the divider assembly  250  forms a bottom wall of the panel assembly. As in the first embodiment, the top wall can include a flange for engaging the back wall  232 , such as by rivets or spot welding. 
         [0105]    The tapers  238  of this embodiment allow the ready vertical stacking of a plurality of panel assemblies  10 , thereby facilitating the construction relative large modular units. That is, the tapers  238  are slidingly received within the upwardly projecting portions of the side walls  234 ,  236  and lateral walls  272 ,  274  of a lower panel assembly  10 . In addition, this configuration allows for the construction of a number of different cell configurations by virtue of corresponding divider assemblies. The divider assemblies can be constructed to have uniform top, bottom and lateral walls, thereby providing operable installation into a single tray format. Thus, a plurality of panel assemblies can be interconnected, wherein each of the panel assemblies has a unique cell configuration. 
         [0106]    The irrigation drip pan and irrigation catch basin are as previously set forth. Similarly, the loading of the growing medium and vegetation are also as previously set forth. 
         [0107]    While a preferred embodiment has been shown and described for particularity, it will be appreciated that various changes and modifications may suggest themselves to one having an ordinary skill in the art upon being appraised of the present invention. It is intended to encompass all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the pending claims.