High above a busy street in Randwick, we created this rooftop garden as a secret haven for the client to relax and entertain.

The design took its que from the clean contemporary style of the interior renovations. Given the limited space we kept the central space open and kept wrapped the planting around the edges. The new black fencing enhanced privacy and formed a smart clean back drop, against which the lush planting pops in contrast. While aiming to soften the space, the planting had to be tough to tolerate the rooftop conditions of heat and wind exposure. The planting sees a mix of succulent forms, colours and textures, architectural plants such as Tree Aloe (Aloe barberae), while other exotics and natives bring a range of softness and structure.

Plant list

Aloe barberae
Aeonium arborium ‘Zwartcop’
Alcantarea impirialis ‘Rubra’
Agave victoriae imperialis reginae
Magnolia ‘Little Gem’
Olea europaea
Carex buchananii
Convolvulus sabatius ssp. Mauriticanicus
Crassula ‘Gollum’
Cyperus papyrus
Dianella revoluta ‘Little Rey’
Dichondra repens
Echeveria elegans
Euphorbia wulfenii
Festuca glauca
Helichrysum petiolaire
Kalanchoe orgyalis ‘Copper Spoons’
Kalanchoe orgyalis ‘Silver Spoons’
Kalanchoe thyrisflora
Plumeria rubra