If you have not seen it yet, a must see on your next trip to San Francisco is the new California Academy of Sciences, of which The Living Roof is a highlight for any gardener. The Living Roof is exactly that - the entire undulating roof of the Renzo Piano building is covered by a massive carpet of California natives. Evidently about 30 native species were tested for their hardiness to Golden Gate Park's Zone 17 climate, and 9 finalists were selected - 4 perennials and 5 annuals. The Living Roof relies solely on rainfall and fog for water. The perennials include Sedum, a native Armeria or Sea Thrift, a native strawberry and prunella vulgaris which appears to dominate. California Poppy, Goldfield and a native Lupine are among the annuals that grow on the roof. There is the occasional odd ball "alien" species, carried in by birds.
If the same Living Roof were to be developed on top of some structure here in Zone 23, I'm curious how the 9 finalists might differ from those thriving in Golden Gate Park?
Another interesting plant I saw in Golden Gate Park was a simply massive Mexican Bush Sage (s. leucantha) that was at least 8 - 10 feet tall.
Far out!
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