| I have many different gardens on my books with my clients; all are individual, as expected. I have a mixture of ornamental, formal, and wildlife gardens, courtyard, back and front gardens, surround gardens, cottage gardens, Mediterranean gardens, woodland gardens, natural gardens, and urban gardens. However, last month, a new garden came onto the books, and this one was truly one-of-a-kind, as it is a rooftop garden. Such gardens are a rare sight in Sandwich, and this one might be the only one of its kind here as l have neither seen nor heard of any others. It hasn’t had a regular gardener attend to its needs for well over a year, so I have my work cut out. It’s currently a mixture of Mediterranean and something else. [I know that sounds vague, but the style I can see present is that of palm fronds, which are usually favoured in Mediterranean-style gardens.] Rooftop gardens are tricky to work because they are exposed to constantly changing climate elements—this garden is no different. When I first viewed the area, it was a windy day, and I had, on occasion, difficulty remaining upright.[Reminding me that l must ensure that all pots are well secured even with drainage] My brief is to restore it to a ‘start again canvas’ and reintroduce energy, vibrancy, beauty, and lasting durability. One of the tasks l was set by my new clients was to make suggestions regarding what l might consider as suitable and climate-appropriate plants, flowers and shrubs[herbs, too] for the space. I also have to consider my clients’ ages. They are both in their nineties and are not as active as they once were. They desire an attractive garden that is as low-maintenance as possible. Not all of the garden is open to the wind—much is, but thankfully not all—so I will try to introduce osteospermums, perhaps some chives, and other robust herbs that can be used in the kitchen. In time, I will write about the rooftop garden and show the before and after transformation. |
| Some of my sugestions for the new rooftop garden client. |
| Rosa rugosa (Rugosa Rose): With its fragrant, abundant blooms, this rose is not just highly hardy and salt-tolerant but also a stunning addition to your rooftop garden, thriving in exposed conditions and strong winds. Spiraea japonica: This low-maintenance shrub, Spiraea japonica, produces clusters of pink or white flowers in early summer. Many compact cultivars make it ideal for container planting on rooftops, giving you a beautiful garden without needing constant care. Weigela florida: Known for its vibrant, tubular blooms, this shrub is robust and performs well in full sun. Its resilient nature makes it a good choice for windy, exposed sites. Viburnum opulus (Guelder Rose): A durable shrub with clusters of white spring and summer flowers followed by attractive berries. Its rugged nature helps it cope with windy conditions. Cytisus scoparius (Scotch Broom): Offering bright yellow flowers, this shrub adds a pop of colour and is known for its hardiness. Some broom species can be vigorous, so occasional management, such as pruning, may be needed to control growth. However, their resilience in windy, exposed sites makes them a good choice for rooftop gardens. Dwarf Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): Although often considered a herb, dwarf lavender forms a shrubby habit, delivers fragrant blooms, and is particularly suited to windy, well-drained rooftop settings. Sedum (e.g., Sedum spurium, Sedum album): Succulent plants that thrive in thin, well-drained soils. Their low, mat-forming habit and drought tolerance make them ideal for exposed rooftop conditions. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): It offers a lovely fragrance and striking purple blooms, and its challenging nature and deep root system help it withstand windy, sunny sites. Just ensure good drainage. Dianthus (Pinks): These compact perennials are well known for their delicate, fragrant flowers and robust nature. Their low growth habit makes them less likely to suffer damage from strong gusts. Hardy Geraniums (e.g., Geranium’ Rozanne’): These reliable perennials, Geranium’s abundant blooms, have a spreading habit that can help them resist being uprooted by the wind. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): With its flat-topped clusters of tiny flowers and deeply entrenched, fibrous roots, yarrow is exceptionally resilient in exposed, windy conditions. Verbena bonariensis: This tall, airy perennial provides clusters of small purple flowers. It’s known for its ability to thrive fully in the soil and resist drought and wind stress. Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower): Valued for its unique, cushion-like blooms, scabiosa is hardy and can handle the harsher conditions of rooftop gardens. Not all of the garden is open to the wind—much is, but thankfully not all—so I will try to introduce osteospermums, perhaps some chives, and other robust herbs that can be used in the kitchen. |
Earthly Comforts 
Do share the pictures after the transformation.
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Will do 🙂
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🙏🏼👍🏼🙏🏼
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