Rooftop Garden Ideas

Japanese Garden

• Japanese gardens focus on simplicity. Azaleas, bamboo, ornamental grasses and flowering cherry or plum trees are a few plants used in Japanese gardens. Create a rooftop garden space of tranquility and harmony by using a simple design, limiting the number of plants, trees and shrubs used and incorporating elements such as stone lanterns, water and straight lines. Add a dry landscape garden with ornamental sand and rocks, raking the sand into swirling circles or rows of straight lines for contemplation. A melodic wind chime or small temple bells introduce elements of both wind and music. A Japanese garden structure such as a tea house, garden bridge or moon gate all can add drama to the space.

Green Roof Garden

• Green roof gardens are lightweight and designed to maximize the energy saving and ecological benefits of green-roof gardening. They are not usually for gatherings of people or for recreational use but are installed to serve as an alternative roofing option. A moisture and root barrier, light soil layer of 6 inches or less and small plants with shallow root systems like ground covers and native plants are installed to prevent storm water runoff and save energy. A water-collection system such as rain barrels eliminates the need to bring water up to the roof and also conserves water. Although most green-roof gardens are utilitarian, they also add greenery to an otherwise unattractive area.

Edible Rooftop Garden

• Make your rooftop garden do double duty by planting fruits and vegetables. Plant in containers or, if the roof will support a thick layer of soil, bring in 1 to 2 feet of soil and plant a traditional vegetable garden. Corn, pumpkins, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, onions, carrots, squash and other favorite sun-loving vegetables grow well on rooftops. They provide the added bonus of supplying you with food all spring through fall. Cold frames and row covers extend the growing season and are lighter-weight alternatives to a full-size greenhouse.