It's been a long time since I wrote a blog post and writing one after a period of absence feels a bit strange, albeit nice at the same time.
In the run up to last Christmas we made a special trip to check out the roof garden at Crossrail Place in Canary Wharf, London. It officially opened last May and it is a retail and public space with a 4,160 square meter roof garden. The complex was designed by Foster and Partners to mimic the clippers that once frequented West India North Dock.
As we entered took the escalator up and entered the complex this was first glimpse we had of a very promising public space...
Then looking back...
And looking up...
Fabulous looking space, in the midst of the financial district of London!
The planting is new and is yet to establish but is looking good so far. They have used several exotics in the scheme and in multiple numbers. Different sections are supposed to represent the flora of far flung areas.
Most noticeable, in fact very hard to ignore are the use of multiple tall tree fern Dicksonia antarctica. Even more impressive is that they all have irrigation installed that goes all the way up to their crowns. An evidence that whoever did the planting and planning is knowledgeable enough of the growing requirements of this beautiful group of plants. More often than not tree ferns in public spaces are left to their own devices likely to perish due to being underwatered.
Walking through the garden kind of reminded me of New York's highline...
Weekends are usually a quiet period in Canary Wharf, unlike other more popular parts of London. Weekdays I can imagine that the garden is pretty busy, especially during lunch hour wherein this is a great place to eat and have a break from work...
Although I work in London every day and Gaz is there regularly we don't often frequent this part of London.
Mark :-)
