Toronto
Weston - Alexander

When Patricia Weston and her partner Neville Alexander purchased their downtown Toronto home, it had no backyard, a tiny dense shade front yard and one gigantic roof deck.

Patricia, an avid shade/semi-shade gardener, claimed the deck as her new garden. In doing so, she faced some new challenges: lots of sun, searing heat, rambunctious squirrels and wild winds.

However after two years of experimentation, chasing squirrels, and the purchase of numerous yet inexpensive pots and seeds, she conquered all these elements and created a magnificent roof top paradise.

This new garden boasts glorious tropical plants like hibiscus, lotus, coleus, several perky goldfish in four ponds, grasses that soar to seven feet in height, herbs and vegetables, fine teak furniture and daturas that would certainly win first prize in the Chelsea Flower Show. Plants are used as screening to create several smaller sitting areas centred around small container ponds, and foliage is grouped together to create interesting colour compositions.

Interestingly, Patricia overwinters many of these plants. In the months ahead, she promises to share some valuable roof top tips with the Canadian Garden Museum. Stay tuned!