Question
hello mr. murphy
all i want to know know is how to go about an energy conserving landscaping, in a hot & humid climate.( like the kind of plants, shurbs etc)

also i want to have a terrace garden on the 1st floor of my bunglow( east open)- what would be the do's and dont's to it.

shilpa
india

Answer
As plants do not typically consume man-made energy (except in nurseries, etc which use heat and lights), the only way you can make a garden conserve less energy is to limit the amount of water and fertilizer it needs. This is because water and fertilizer do require human produced energy to be delivered and manufactured. Therefore, you simply should select plants that require less than average amounts of water and fertilizer that are hardy, perhaps native to your climate. Succulents are a good start. As I do not know your area you will need to consult with local suppliers for the best plants.
Also, you can choose plants to help you consume less energy in your own home. For example, a large deciduous tree placed on the south side of your home can provide shade in summer reducing cooling costs and then it allows the sun in during the winter months.

As for terrace gardens, there are really only two concerns. One issue is waterproofing...ensuring that the water you put in planters stays in the planters and does not become a problem on the terrace or beneath it. If using pots I recommend trays or dishes beneath them to catch excess water. If using built-in planters, make sure you have the best waterproofing, self healing rubberized membranes are good.
The second, issue is irrigation and nutrification. As the garden will most likely be in some form of container or large planter the soil and water sources are limited. Be sure to figure out how you will get regular amounts of water to your garden as needed and plan to replace nutrients with fertilizer or soil replacement as needed.

Good Luck


Sean J Murphy, LA,ISA, LEED AP
Please check out my blogs and articles on landscape topics like this on my websites.
http://www.seanjmurphy.com
http://amenityarchitects.com