Roof Garden Info needed

Simatai · 27-10-2005, 02:19 AM

Hello everyone,

I'm in the process of re-designing a roof garden and, I've been trying without much luck to find some information on-line on roof garden designs in Hong Kong. I can't even seem to locate any photos, but I get plenty of pics from UK & USA! I'm also in need of a Landscape Contractor. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Also, does anyone know of any websites/places where I can find out more information on types of plants in HK that will be most suitable for outdoors/roof?

Many Thanks!

jimbo · 27-10-2005, 08:04 AM

Where are you based firstly? Theres a few in sai kung for example, Or alternatively just see a local property agent, they'll know.

Laughing_Monkey · 27-10-2005, 09:17 AM

Do u have the structural information for the building its on? Your main limitation is the weight the roof of the building can support. If its an old building you will prob be limited to shrubs/flowers which only require a little earth to root and you prob wont be able to have any water features.

HK isnt really known for its roof gardens and there dont seem to be very many of them here. You are prob better off looking for examples of chinese landscaping and then incorporating the design elements into your design. This will also enable you to identify the types of flora that is used in china - and how it is used.

Good luck

Simatai · 29-10-2005, 02:07 PM

Hey thanks guys, appreciate your input!

The apartment building is 24 stories, about 20yrs old I'd say, and in the mid-levels. About 1200sq ft. The surrounding tiled wall is about 4'0" high.

I think I will just build a 8'0" X 8'0" wooden deck in one corner, and limit the design to just have planter box trellises in areas. But thanks Laughing Monkey, I will try to find out more structural info on roof weight limitation.

Do anyone know of good garden decor stores to visit in HK?

larac · 01-11-2005, 03:29 PM

There are some outdoor furniture places at Ap Lei Chau and Indigo at Prince's Building has some outdoor stuff, I think they also have those premade decking squares that interlock together, no idea on the price but looks way easier than trying to build.

Octo · 03-01-2006, 12:33 AM

Originally Posted by Simatai:

Hello everyone,

I'm in the process of re-designing a roof garden and, I've been trying without much luck to find some information on-line on roof garden designs in Hong Kong. I can't even seem to locate any photos, but I get plenty of pics from UK & USA! I'm also in need of a Landscape Contractor. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Also, does anyone know of any websites/places where I can find out more information on types of plants in HK that will be most suitable for outdoors/roof?

Many Thanks!

Hi Simatai
I live in Yuen Long, Hong Kong and built a raised deck garden two years ago and have experienced both fun and fustration on putting plants there. The hot Summer in Hong Kong in July and August really hurts most of the plants I planted, I am happy to hear someone in HK is doing the similar thing and would to share my experience with you.

Rgds
Rick - Hong Kong

jayinhongkong · 03-01-2006, 12:50 AM

I would be happy to suggest some excellent ideas for your rooftop. You can even grow some organic fruits and vegetables up there, they will flourish. Frankly, I'm jealous.
You can grow some fabulous plants in Hong Kong's climate. There's no frost here! We're also just north of the Tropic of Cancer, so we're in a biome with a great deal of biological diversity. I've been looking for a place with a private roof, but I just can't find one I can afford, being a poor teacher and all. Gardening is very rewarding. You can't let plants get rootbound during summer, they will dry out extremely quickly. Unless you want to grow cactus, of course.

If a strong typhoon is heading our way, the more delicate plants will have to be taken inside....stakes work wonders, though.

OK - if you want to buy rooted plants, it would be hard to beat Flower Market Road. Ferns do well here - bamboo is nice too. I'd love to have a 20 foot bamboo tree you can use ceramic or plastic pots, the bigger they are, the bigger the plants in general. You could also have raised beds with drainage holes and fill them, but nothing too major. A freely draining medium is important with Hong Kong's rain.

Perhaps I should start my own rooftop gardening consultancy service :P

Many of the rooftops in the Western district have lovely plants decorating their rooftops. Three stories below me, there's a large balcony. The owner or tenant down there has a LOT of plants out there in pots. Pots are good, they drain quickly.

cinnamon · 24-04-2006, 10:09 PM

I know how you feel and we have been lucky enough to get a flat with a private roof this year , after a lot of searching.
I would love to be able to use our roof this summer with out being burned to a crisp, or be rained out midway through dinner!
Does anyone know what the actual law is about building a structure on to the roof?
I have heard so many different things
Ive been told that as long as there are no walls (ie it is not enclosed) then it's not illegal.
Then I've heard that if there is a "roof" , even if there are no walls,that this is considered illegal.
Also an apartment opposite us has a structure that has no walls and no solid roof (kind of a trellis) and I heard that they were told to tear it down.
Can anyone shed some light?

Octo · 30-06-2006, 09:28 PM

Originally Posted by cinnamon:

I know how you feel and we have been lucky enough to get a flat with a private roof this year , after a lot of searching.
I would love to be able to use our roof this summer with out being burned to a crisp, or be rained out midway through dinner!
Does anyone know what the actual law is about building a structure on to the roof?
I have heard so many different things
Ive been told that as long as there are no walls (ie it is not enclosed) then it's not illegal.
Then I've heard that if there is a "roof" , even if there are no walls,that this is considered illegal.
Also an apartment opposite us has a structure that has no walls and no solid roof (kind of a trellis) and I heard that they were told to tear it down.
Can anyone shed some light?

To my knowledge, the Hong Kong B.O.O. (Building Ordinance Office) requires written application on any thing higher than 1.2 Meter (4 ft) to be constructed on any building.
I have now moved into a village house with roof and I am building my "Sun block Screen" mounted on wires supported by three A Beams. I just start constructing the sun shade for my garden and am prepared to post my garden onto a webpage upon finish. I will keep you post on my progress and also happy to share with you my experience.
The Hot Summer sun make it real tough to build my roof garden.
Octo

abcdefghi · 01-07-2006, 01:34 AM

For plants, just look at what's available in your local nursery. If it grows there, it should grow on your roof, provided you can create some wind and sun shelter. Bamboo is an excellent roof plant, looks good, sounds good, and it's a great windbreak when established.

As long as you keep planting to containers around the edge of the roof, you shouldn't have any structural issues. You could build relatively lightweight planting boxes out of marine plywood, attached to the perimeter wall to take some of the load off the roof.

But I would strongly recommend a simple irrigation system (a drip pipe or some such), as plants evapotranspirate water very quickly in such an exposed location.