Green Roofs

I stay on the top floor of a block of flats, and lately with the temperatures reaching 30-36 degrees Celsius, it has been really hot inside.

As the temperatures go up, on go the air-conditioners to try to keep us cool.

But what with the recent Eskom power failures and the need to reduce the amount of electricity used, I was thinking about how a country like South Africa could really benefit from using plants for insulation on roofs - "Green Roofs."

Provided its done properly, the savings on cooling and heating costs could be quite considerable.
The soil, and plant material act as a far more efficient method of insulation, keeping you cool in summer and warm in winter.

Other benefits of Green Roofs include:

1. It could reduce the amount of surface water runoff
2. An effective water filtration system
   
3. Protection and extended life of the roofing membrane
   
4. Improves the air quality in and around the building
5. Green Roofs could improve the environment - attracting birds and butterflies
6. Makes for an attractive looking roof - especially when viewed from above
7. Harvesting of vegetables etc. for food
8. Sound insulation

Some other sites that talk about green roofs are Soekershof and Urban Habitats

A more detailed look at Green Roofs can be found here.

Inspiration comes from anywhere

Inspiration for my gardens comes from anywhere and everywhere. My favourite way of getting ideas is by paging through landscaping books in my favourite book shop over a cup of filter coffee. Inspiration comes from other places as well - such as the gardens that I see all around me, including the natural 'gardens' in the abundant nature reserves in and around Durban.

But ideas come from more obscure places as well. Some of my best ideas have come from places like; children's toys, fonts, construction materials, fashion, architecture and art.

The design in this 'g' holds plenty of ideas and shapes for a garden. Place this shape over a plan of your garden , and see what new ideas can develop from it.

Its all just a matter of looking with different eyes...

If you are planning your garden, it is important to look at what you like about the gardens in your neighbourhood. But open your eyes to the ideas, shapes, textures and colours that you see outside of the garden, decide what you like about them, and whether there is something you can use in the design of your garden.

Indigenous Beauties : Helichrysum populifolium

Helichrysum populifolium
Poplar helichrysum

Helichrysum populifolium is an amazing plant which is also one of the largest Helichrysum. It grows to about 2m high, by 2m wide. Its leaves are large, soft and velvety, and are quite striking in the shady conditions in which it thrives.

It is found naturally on cliffs and forest margins often as a scrambler, but is quite rare. Its natural growth habit tends to sometimes look a bit messy, but pruning it lightly in winter keeps it looking neat.

It flowers in Autumn, and it's flowers are quite insignificant but abundant.
It is a fast growing shrub, and is ideal in rich, well draining, moist conditions.

Gracious Gardens

I spent the last couple of days at Baynesfield Estate. It is a gracious old house built in the 1800's, with a garden to match. It seems a shame that a house and garden with so much beauty and history is so unknown.




A gem like this should have a lot more visitors which would also bring in funds to maintain and improve the house and gardens.

Indigenous beauties

We really are spoilt for choice in South Africa when it comes to plants. Some amazing facts about South Africa's plant life:

1. There are more than 20300 plants in South Africa, or 10% of the worlds plants are found here.
   
2. South Africa is the most biodiverse country relative to its size in the world.
3. The Cape Floristic Region is one of the richest areas in the world when it comes to floral biodiversity.
4. We have the worlds smallest and largest succulent plants

Its astounding that we are so reluctant to use indigenous plants in our landscapes when we have such amazing, unique and beautiful plants available.

Setaria Megaphylla
Broad leafed bristle grass

Setaria megaphylla is a tall grass that loves cool moist conditions, in the wild it is often found in clumps in the shade of trees. Its leaves are broad and deep green, and it grows to about 1.5m high. Birds love this plant - from its abundant seeds for food, to its leaves which are used for nest building. It suits a natural style garden, and looks best when planted amongst other grasses.

Thorny subjects

Recently, I've been planning a garden, that young children will use. In the past, when designing with children in mind, I've had a few discussions with clients who are concerned about introducing any plants with thorns or similar.
I've spent my childhood playing in large gardens with all kinds of plants, and later moving to a house that bordered a nature reserve with other types of dangers. My parents taught me to be careful of any plants that I didn't know about, and to have a healthy respect for nature.
I really do believe that being given a fair amount of freedom, and not being kept too safe made me into the independent person I am today.
Gardens are like life - they are full of beauty and full of danger, but they help to teach us where our boundaries should be. Sometimes these boundaries are found by standing on thorns, or being stung by insects, sometimes even breaking bones from falling out of trees, but every bit of pain was a valuable lesson learned.
A garden for a child without 'danger' whether imagined or real is boring and lacks stimulation.
Obviously its extremely important not to place life threatening plants or objects into a garden, but to have a completely sterile and safe environment teaches us nothing about life outside the garden.

Four Dimensions

One of the many aspects of landscaping that I enjoy, is taking a thought or an idea, and turning it into a two dimensional drawing, and then into four dimensional reality.

The fourth dimension is time - watching a garden change and grow into the picture that you imagined years before. Seeing in the little seedlings and saplings what they will one day become, is really one of the most satisfying things.

This can also be a frustration. In the beginning stages while plants are still small, and the garden is nothing like what it will become, it is difficult for the client to see the potential inherent in the design. At this point, it comes down to 2 things:

1. Communication

I have really tried to make an extra effort to give realistic expectations of the various stages, but sometimes when everything looks chaotic, its still necessary to reassure the client that in time it will begin to take shape and it really will look as you described!

2. Trust

This is where previous work can help to allay fears. A portfolio can do wonders. Before and after photos do a good job of giving realistic expectations.

Work that comes from referrals is usually fairly pain free, as a certain level of trust has already been assumed.