Beachside rooftop garden

The owner is a busy executive who asked for an outdoor entertaining area, a small private garden to have the morning coffee and a herb corner.

The entertaining area is quite large, with an L-shape shallow, reflecting water-feature, a seaside white bench and a simple counter to serve the drinks.

The little garden area is a paved square surrounded by lush planting. In addition they have narrow private bedroom terrace with lounge-chairs and a view to the sea, surrounded by Fargesia murielae 'Simba' with nighttime subtle lighting to give it an exotic feel.

Requirements for the materials were maximum durability, therefore the planters and decking is hardwood Cumaru. The color scheme of the design was kept to black (granite) and white (reconstituted granite), with red wood and cold color-scheme planting, except two seaside planters which enjoy the beautiful evening sunsets. Three large squares/stepping stones of white reconstituted granite and another three of glass lit below lead from the bedroom terrace to the main terrace.

The furniture and few exotic planters are simple wood-carved handcraft products that were brought from India and are mixing well with the contemporary feel of the garden.

The planting was kept simple but bold and lush, low maintenance was a must. Leading colours are blues and purples (Nepeta faassenii 'Walker's Low', Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote') together with greens - Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus', Juniperus communis 'Hibernica' to tie the rooftop with surrounding pines and to give it a beach feeling (Juniperus is a very common beachside plant on Estonian islands).

Plant-list:

Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum'
Achillea millefolium 'Terracotta'
Allium aflatunense
Astrantia major
Carex conica 'Fronze Form'
Echinacea purpurea 'Alba'
Eryngium alpinum
Euphorbia griffithii 'Fireglow'
Fargesia murielae 'Simba'
Hakonechloa macra Aureola
Helianthemum 'The Bride'
Iris 'Brasilia'
Iris 'Hello Darkness'
Iris 'Madera Belle'
Juniperus communis 'Hibernica'
Kolkwitzia amabilis
Lavandula angustifolia 'Alba'
Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote'
Lupinus 'Gallery Blue'
Mentha piperita
Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus'
Nepeta faassenii 'Walker's Low'
Philadelphus 'Lemoinei'
Philadelphus 'Virginal'
Prunus tenella 'Fire Hill'
Prunus x cistena
Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm'
Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna'
Salvia nemorosa 'East Friesland'
Salvia officinalis 'Purpurascens'
Thymus praecox 'Coccineus'
Trifolium rubens
Tulipa 'Black Parrot'
Tulipa 'White Triumphator'
Veronica spicata 'Alba'