Thinking of installing a roof garden? Take some inspiration from these world famous roof gardens - from ancient Babylon to the modern era. Public roof gardens are an excellent travel destination for families with children. While they are learning about the indigenous plants, kids can also see eco-friendly innovation up close and let their own imaginations soar. It's also a great way to teach your children about saving the environment. While they can only read about the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Roof Gardens in London and the Vancouver Convention Center are still around and open to the public.
Hanging Gardens of Babylon
The rapidly accelerating loss of plant and animal species makes gardens of any type and backyard habitats more important than ever before. Biodiversity refers to the variety of all forms of life, from genes to species, through to the broad scale of ecosystems. Roof gardens contribute to biodiversity because they often preserve a wide variety of indigenous plants and species.
Of course, beauty is important too. Some roof gardens are so magnificent that they have become world-famous in their own right. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were so amazing, they were considered to be one of the original Seven Wonders of the World.
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were built by King Nebuchadnezzar II around 600 BC. Nebuchadnezzar built the gardens for his wife. Destroyed by earthquakes sometime around the 2nd Century BC, these gardens are well-documented in early historical writings. Lush and tiered, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon were said by the Greek Historian Diodorus to be 100 feet long by 100 feet wide and built up in tiers so that it resembled a theater. Vaults were constructed under ascending terraces.
At the entrance to the hanging gardens, visitors ascended to the uppermost terrace roofs by stairway. Alongside the stairway, water was channeled from the Euphrates River by pumps. The roofs of the vaults which supported the garden were constructed of stone beams. These were sixteen feet long, over which was laid a layer of reeds set in thick tar, baked brick and cement and a lead covering to prevent moisture penetrating the roof. Topsoil was heaped on top of this roof. It was leveled off and planted with a very wide variety of types of trees. Because of its unique tiered design rising up into the sky and the dramatic overhang of limbs and branches below, it was called "hanging gardens."
The Roof Gardens (Derry and Toms Roof Gardens)
The Roof Gardens in central London (formerly called Derry and Toms Roof Gardens or the Kensington Roof Gardens) is the largest roof garden in all of Europe. This magnificent series of gardens is accessible through a doorway on Derry Street. Open to the public, the Roof Gardens surround a two-story clubhouse for private events.
Laid out in the 1930s by Ralph Hancock and Trevor Bowen, the Roof Gardens were originally constructed over a department store called Derry and Toms. It is listed as a Grade II site by English Heritage.
There are three themed gardens within the Roof Gardens. The first is a Spanish garden, created in the Moorish style based on Alhambra in Spain. It offers Chusan palms, romantic vine-covered walkways and magnificent fountains. The second garden is Tudor-style. Here you will find archways and secrete corners to spark your imagination. The air is filled with the scent of Roses, hanging wisteria, lilies and lavender. Thirdly, visit the English woodland garden, replete with 100 species of trees, a garden pond and a meandering stream.
There are 30 different species of trees, Chilean flamingos and pintail ducks. On the seventh floor of the roof gardens, visit The Babylon Restaurant.
Vancouver Convention Center
In Vancouver, Canada, you can visit the Vancouver Convention Centre, a green building featuring the largest non-industrial living roof in North America. Overlooking Burrard Inlet, the six-acre roof garden features more than 400,000 indigenous plants.
Spend a leisurely day walking around, admiring the gardens and conversing with friends in tranquil alcoves. The view is great too with a magnificent waterfront vista to accompany the garden's beauty. The convention center itself is a master of green design and innovation. You might find a variety of events going on at any given time. Check the schedule for events during your visit.
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