In the past decade London gardeners have radically transformed the way they use their rooftops, which in the past were largely ignored spaces.
Whether it’s a tiny terrace of a bijou flat or a multi-level oasis on top of a private building, Londoners’ radically innovative public spaces, parks, and private roof gardens are making the city one of the greenest capitals on the planet.
Photograph by Matthew Williams.
For more of this garden, see our new Gardenista book. And a small multi-stem such as Amelanchier lamarckii will give almost year-round interest with beautiful spring blossom, pretty foliage through summer, and dramatic color in the fall.
1. Plant Multi-Tasking Trees
A black matte Cricket spotlight by Davide Groppi is made of metal and suitable for outdoor use.
2. Design the Lighting
Uplights will look especially effective with more architectural plants (ferns, palms, and spiky yuccas, for example) while some simple LED festoon lights strung around walls or through a pergola will add instant atmosphere.
3. Screen It
To lighten the look, strip the lower leaves from bamboo planted against a fence or wall. Many city roof gardens share the same issues: a lack of privacy and exposure to the elements, not least the wind.
Photograph by Matthew Williams.
Photograph courtesy of Ham Yard Hotel.
For more of this garden, see Ham Yard Hotel: A Roof Garden Oasis in Central London.
4. Don’t Forget Fragrance
Photograph by Matthew Williams for Gardenista.
London-based designer Rose Uniacke’s roof garden enjoys full sun. Equally, these plants will still provide interest in the winter months in soft low light.
5. Study the Sun’s Trajectory
6. Sow a Meadow
Photograph by Matthew Williams for Gardenista.
Designer Julie Farris planted a rooftop meadow. Any space, from a strip along the edge of other plants to a simple raised bed, can be used for growing a mix of annual or perennial wildflowers.
Irrigation is one of the biggest issues on exposed terraces where there is little protection from the sun and from drying winds so ensure that your planters are as big as possible so they retain moisture or install a drip irrigation system so that your plants are constantly hydrated.
Photograph by Matthew Williams.
7. Invest in Big Planters
Photograph by Mimi Giboin.
8. Plant Sun Lovers
Low-maintenance salvias and meadow grasses. You’ll need less water if you plant sun-loving, drought-tolerant plants in the first place.
9. Make Honey
On the rooftop at Ham Yard Hotel are 80,000 resident bees (looked after by beekeeper Camilla Goddard) who make good use of the wild flower meadow strip at the back of the roof garden.
The latest roof to join the collection of sky hives is at the Ritz hotel, where hives occupy one of the hotel’s roofs overlooking neighboring Green Park.
London-based antiques dealer Will Fisher grows fruit trees against a brick wall in his garden. A rooftop is the perfect space for many vegetable and salad crops; you also can grow espalier fruit trees in planters.
Photograph by Matthew Williams for Gardenista.
10 Grow Your Own