Rooftop gardens are more popular than ever, particularly in large urban areas where green spaces may be few and far between. Whether your rooftop is large or small, a rooftop garden can provide a luxurious area perfect for relaxing or enjoying time with friends and colleagues. Rooftop planters and comfortable seating are the perfect addition whether your rooftop garden is limited to family and friends or designed with your company employees, customers, and colleagues in mind. Here let’s explore the benefits of rooftop gardens as well as how to create your unique rooftop oasis.
The Benefits of Rooftop Gardens
Rooftop gardens offer great views. Even if your roof area features unsightly elements like concrete blocks, electrical boxes, and HVAC systems, you can turn it into a relaxing rooftop hangout by adding seating and tables, lighting, and planters filled to overflowing with flowers, greenery, and even herbs and veggies if you like. You can even add bench seating with storage to keep your gardening supplies and other needed items at hand.
Your rooftop garden can be easily developed to thrive when you choose plants which flourish in your climate, as well as planters and décor designed to withstand the elements and stay beautiful in outdoor settings. A bonus of rooftop gardens is you don’t have to worry about rabbits, deer, or other herbivores devouring your plants. If you want to add a bit of shade to your rooftop, consider adding a tree to a large planter or an outdoor umbrella. Either way, you and your plants can enjoy both the sunny and shady portions of your rooftop garden.
Did you know your rooftop garden also provides eco-friendly benefits? Container gardening on the roof can actually generate energy savings for your building. An exposed roof in summer can get incredibly hot, forcing air conditioning to work overtime. A rooftop garden shades the roof and keeps temperatures down, thus decreasing the demand for air conditioning and save energy (and money). In addition, rooftop gardens help cut down on the wear and tear to the roof and reduce stormwater runoff.
While you may think of a rooftop garden as green space to enjoy, it can also serve as a location from which you grow your own veggies, herbs, and even fruit. If you want to try your hand at growing your own crops, select plants which drink up the sun, like tomatoes and cucumbers.
Speaking of Ideal Plants for Your Rooftop Garden
Obviously, your rooftop garden will get lots of sun, which many plants enjoy. Choose plants that enjoy all day sunlight and do well in your plant hardiness zone for best results. In addition to the veggies – tomatoes and cucumbers – mentioned, these plants thrive on the rooftop.
- Lavender is an excellent choice that thrives in Zones 5 through 9. Lavender offers beautiful pale purple blooms and a lovely fragrance.
- For additional color, daylilies are the perfect addition. Daylilies are hardy, love the sun, and thrive in Zones 3 through 9. The come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors – purple, red, yellow, orange, pink, and white.
- Wisteria – In particular, Japanese Wisteria is the ideal choice for your rooftop garden, flourishing in Zones 4 through 9. The beautiful, twisted vines and breathtaking purple flowers are sure to add interest to your rooftop garden.
- Juniper – With a number of varieties, including the Blue Star Juniper, most of these attractive scrubs are hardy in Zones 4 through 8.
Final Tips to Get your Rooftop Garden Ready
If this is your first year with a rooftop garden, be sure to check building and fire codes before you begin. On the rooftop, because of the sun and head, self-watering planters from TerraCast Products can help your garden thrive. In addition, premium planters with adequate drainage offer the perfect way to get started with your rooftop garden. Visit TerraCast Products where you will find a vast array of premium planters, lighting, and more!