Roof Gardens

Do you have a roof garden or maybe, just a garden area that gets regularly exposed to wind and hot sun? There are plenty of options for your containers or plantings.

First you want plants that are drought tolerant, period. Not just after being established, but from the get-go. Plants that are used near the beach often work well...Lantan camaran, Miss Huff or New Gold, for instance.

Secondly, whether you are planting in a container or the ground, be sure to use an additive like Permatil or Perlite to keep the soil mixture from hardening when it dries. Permatil will provide air pockets that will hold water for an extra reservior.

Another concern is to keep the roots cooler. Do this by raising your pots on feet .This is particularly important if your pots are sitting on a cement pad or tiles.

Let larger plants shade and protect the smaller ones. Isn't always possible, but evergreens do help with this. Make them interesting, shape them in a spiral!

from downtown Atlanta,
Lyn