We were given carte blanche in creating an outdoor tropical paradise. Sky was the limit and we went overboard at mixing and matching different colors and textures. We added drops of colors with a mix of interesting flowers. And to accentuate a sense of lushness, we paired them with contrasting plants.

CREATING TEXTURE

The perfect way to add texture and a natural color gradient in the tropical chaos is to alternate bigger with smaller plants. We’re huge fans of fatsia japonica. This tough evergreen with shiny, dramatic leathery leaves is the perfect backdrop to other exotica.

ADDING A BIT OF BLING

Since the owner of the rooftop garden isn’t wary of glamour, we added a touch of bling by covering the wooden planters with copper. Copper is an ideal material for outdoor use. It’s durable and increases in beauty as it ages. One copper planter is installed close to the kitchen and contains basil, thyme, and dill. It’s a herb garden and perfect to enjoy some fresh-from-the-earth taste at the dinner table.

Too much copper can be a bit overwhelming and that’s why we chose to go for darker planters on the other side, in accordance to the dark walls and wooden floors. Some people think that color stands out against a white backdrop. But in reality it’s the other way around. Lighter colors tend to pop better out of darker colors.

Text by Magali Elali — Photography by Bart Kiggen