Well selected sculptural flora magnifies spatial qualities across a broad range of roof terrace scales and withstands prevailing wind tunnel effects in urban grids.
Plants for windy roof terrace.
Wind is one of the most common forces of nature that a balcony gardener will need to face and work with.
In this article plants there are suitable to be grown in rooftop gardens will be discussed.
Beloved for scent lavender lavandula angustifolia is a member of the mint family and native of the mediterranean so it weathers the windy and dry conditions of a rooftop garden well.
You are right in the windy zone so make sure containers and fittings are very thoroughly secured so.
Olive trees are an excellent roof terrace plant.
Plants adapted to growing in coastal conditions often have tough leathery or hairy leaves which protect the plant from salt damage and reduce moisture loss.
The ideal method is to establish some shelter using screens or robust plants which then creates a microclimate where other plants can survive.
It s a good idea to create a living windbreak by planting a hedge facing the prevailing wind.
Tips on choosing plants suitable for roof terraces balconies and patios plants useful for these areas will most probably have to be fairly drought and wind tolerant.
Roof terrace plants should be selected that are drought and wind tolerant a general rule is that plants with small leaves will endure these conditions much better than the larger leaved shrubs for more information and recommendations read our blog post on choosing the best plants for roof gardens roof terraces and balcony gardens.
The solution is to pick wind tolerant plants in the first place.
Its beautiful gray green foliage reaches heights of about a foot and a half making it a good fit for either containers or full fledged rooftop garden beds.
In order to do well under these conditions you need plants that are happy basking in the sun but also windproof and can be grown in containers.
Suitable hedging plants include berberis hawthorn oleaster and sea buckthorn.
This will have the benefit of reducing wind speed and so protecting other plants in the garden and providing a shelter for wildlife.
When you garden high up the rules are different from ground level gardening.
The upside to coastal gardening is the reduced risk of frost allowing you to grow borderline hardy plants which other gardeners only dream of.
Broad canopied candelabra like and multi branched plant forms endure windy rooftop microclimates effortlessly.
Pick wind tolerant plants that are the best for high rise balconies to begin with.
Rooftop gardens tend to get a lot of sunshine but are also exposed to extremely windy conditions.
Instead of trying to create barriers and obstacles to the wind why not work with it.
Plants for roof gardens and balconies.