Garden design for a residential terrace in Vigo, Pontevedra.
Landscape design by María Hernández López . Verde Leria.
This project transformed the terrace of an apartment in the centre of Vigo into a stunning rooftop garden. A green space that today overflows with life.
The proposal went beyond simply filling the space with planters and pots. The aim was to bring greenery back to this space in a meaningful way, so the area of the terrace that wasn’t being used as a seating space was converted into a planted roof.
A green roof is a technical solution that allows, with only a shallow depth of soil, planting on a considerable scale, including shrubs and small trees. The various layers that make up the soil system ensure efficient water retention whilst also allowing rapid drainage. The soil used is specific to this type of installation, both lightweight and fast draining.
To contain the entire structure, bespoke metal edging was designed and installed, incorporating larger-diameter rings to accommodate the trees.
The rest of the terrace needed to remain open for furniture and everyday use, so the planting was arranged in raised beds, with pots positioned along the perimeter.
Another key objective was to provide privacy from the rooftop of the building opposite. A hedge of Eugenia myrtifolia now serves this purpose, whilst also creating a permanent green backdrop that helps to structure the space visually.
The choice of species was shaped by three fundamental factors: the limited surface soil depth available, the south-facing aspect of the terrace, and the fact that the home is not used during the summer months and the plants selected had to be low maintenance. The planting combines the long spring flowering of Euphorbia x martinii ‘Ascott Rainbow’, Libertia chilensis, Dianella revoluta and Alyssum maritimum, with winter-flowering species such as Cymbidium and Jasminum polyanthum.
In the tree selection, it was essential to choose species of restricted growth, capable of thriving in containers and in proportion to the scale of the space. Two specimens of Amelanchier lamarckii and a Cornus florida ‘Cherokee Chief’ provide structure to this urban garden and give greater seasonal interest throughout the year. Their spectacular spring blossom gives way to attractive summer foliage, followed by intense autumn colour in shades of orange and red that completely transform the atmosphere of the terrace.
Scents also play an important role in this garden. The fragrance of chinese jasmine in winter and the honey scent of sweet alyssum in spring and summer envelops the space and enriches the sensory experience.
The result is a far more versatile terrace than before. The addition of trees and hedging has created areas of shade that bring coolness and make spending time outdoors so much more enjoyable. The garden has also transformed the views from inside the home, creating a living landscape to be enjoyed through the windows as well.
The berries of the amelanchier attract birds, and the succession of flowers provides food for numerous pollinating insects. Although this is a small-scale project, it contributes to increasing urban biodiversity and demonstrates how any garden, however small, can become a valuable refuge for wildlife within the city.
· María Hernández López ©
· Viveiros Adoa, SL
· Zinco Cubiertas Ecológicas, SL
