From Guest Blogger Dimitris Papadoupolos: Five Tips for Designing a Sustainable Rooftop Garden
If you enjoy the benefits of gardening, life in a sprawling metropolis might be frustrating.
Apartments often lack their own gardens and public parks can be few and far between.
But if you secure planning permission, and can turn your green fingers and horticultural brain to anything from the benefits of ph testing to the life cycles of hardy annuals, a rooftop garden provides a great solution.
So here are five tips for designing your dream green space.
- Open design
You’ll want to get as much use from your garden as possible — so if you live in a cold climate at least a portion of it should be enclosed to protect your from the elements.
Otherwise, an open design feels expansive and creates an excellent energy flow.
Using hedges as borders instead of walls looks natural and organic, and the advantage of glass balustrades is a more aesthetically pleasing look that makes the garden appear bigger by blending it into its surroundings.
- Furniture
Your garden’s a functional leisure space — so furniture might be one of the first purchases to consider.
Features like built-in benches have to be included at design stage, as does a decking area for a dining table and chairs or loungers. And the best rooftop gardens perfectly balance organic and man-made elements.
So figuring out furniture from the start is crucial, otherwise you could end up with a great garden without enough free space for you and your family to make the most of.
- Privacy
If you need privacy, or want to block out an unpleasant view, strategically-positioned tall plants can work wonders.
The value of grasses and bamboo lies in their exotic appearances and suitability for shielding you from prying eyes.
So if you want to make sure no uninvited guests are peeking at your party, pick a few of these perennials.
- Colour scheme
If you want to create an ambient space for chilling out and socialising, don’t spoil the vibe by using too many clashing colours.
Two or three matched colours for containers, railings and flooring is more than enough — start with a main colour and add two neutral tones for the ideal blend.
And carefully consider whether your colour choices will enhance your choice of plants or drown them out.
- Lighting
Last but not least comes lighting — the right lights make your garden safe to use all year round and create a cosy atmosphere.
And if you’ve got a centrepiece feature like a mini-waterfall, it’s wasted unless it can be illuminated in the evening.
Quality outdoor garden lights mark out doors and stairwells for visitors and ensure your flower beds are appreciated night and day.
Investing in a high-rise garden adds another dimension to your life — a creative space providing respite from the hustle and bustle of the streets below.
Follow these five tips for designing a rooftop garden and you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it years ago.
Do you have a rooftop garden? Share your design tips in the comments section.
