If you have a rooftop garden that is fully exposed to the elements – this article is for you!
Over the years we have observed how these particular species are tough as nails ! They can handle the full summer sun and windy rooftop conditions. Will absolutely thrive in these conditions and come back every year.
AGASTACHE AURANTIACA (Giant Hyssop)
There are several species that work well in these conditions. Available in a variety of colors and sizes. Some can grow 4′ tall and 5′ wide – so chose the one that fits best to your garden space.
the common purple blue variety tends to get BIG !
dwarf white and purple fit well in most gardens
who doesn’t like orange red variegations !
CROCOSMIA MASONIORUM (Montbretia)
This perennial has arching, sword-shaped dark green leaves that are pleated lengthways. In late summer, orange-red flowers on wiry stems appear that last for several weeks. Plant in large containers in a multipurpose compost in a predominant location.
crocosmia !
LAVANDULA PEDUNCULATA (French Lavender)
A wonderful evergreen shrub that has aromatic, grey-green foliage, where small, scented violet flowers with purple-pink tops appear in late spring to summer. Best planted in a pot of gritty soil-based compost, where it will grow up to 80cm in height.
It prefers to dry out a bit so it’s best to hand water it or place it under automatic irrigation that runs infrequently.
vive La France !
PEROVSKIA ‘Blue Spire’
A deciduous subshrub that produces upright white stems of small, aromatic grey-green leaves. In late summer spikes of blue-purple flowers appear. This 3′ tall plant grows well in soil-based compost.
Russian sage can get big over time and may need an occasional splitting from the base
ROSA (Rose)
Rosa ‘Iceberg’ is a floribunda bush rose that has glossy, green leaves – from which cupped, fully double, white flowers appear. Grow it in a large pot full of enriched multipurpose compost, where it will grow up to 4′ tall.
Rosa floribunda ‘Iceberg’
Rosa rugosa is the original beach rose that loves sandy soil, full sun and plenty of wind!
Rosa rugosa comes in dark pink (above), pale pink, and creamy white
ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS (Rosemary)
An evergreen shrub whose leaves are used as a herb. It has aromatic, need-like, dark green leaves, where small, blue flowers appear in spring. This 2′ tall shrub prefers growing in a large container full of gritty soil-based compost.
Give it a bit of frost protection – like being mulched, and certainly plant it in its preferred spot – south facing during winter.
rosemary !
SALVIA GREGGII (Autumn Sage) ‘Navajo Series’
A hardy herbaceous perennial plant native to a long, narrow area from southwest Texas, through the Chihuahuan Desert and into Mexico.
salvia greggii – THE butterfly magnet !
SEMPERVIVUM ARACHNOIDEUM (Cobweb Houseleek)
This small perennial, only growing up to 6″ in height, has small rosettes of fleshy, green leaves. Covered in fine, white webbing it produces reddish-pink blooms in summer. Can be grown in small containers full of multipurpose compost.
love these !
STACHYS BYZANTINA (Lamb’s ear)
Also called woolly hedge nettle, this is a species of flowering plant in the mint family. Native to Armenia, Iran, and Turkey.
fuzzy as fuzzy can be ! also has pretty lavender flowers on spikes !!!
At Plant Specialists, our Landscape Design team has used many of these tough plants in gardens. They are a magnificent addition and a significant point of conversation.
Call us – put some toughness in your garden !
PLANT SPECIALISTS
GREENING NEW YORK FOR OVER 53 YEARS !
Article written by our Staff Horticulturist, Peter B Morris, BSc, MSc, MBA
All photographs used with permission @SHUTTERSTOCK
