Debra Prinzing

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A landscape in the sky

November 2nd, 2007

green roof

Debra Prinzing photos

Designed by Pamela Berstler and Marilee Kuhlmann for a client in LA’s Sherman Oaks community, this green roof is a spectacular example of how overhead plantings enhance a garden

Wouldn’t it be great if succulents could transform the residential rooftops of the West? Well, it’s happening…one roof at a time. I want to share the great news that “The Art of the Living Roof,” my first piece for the Los Angeles Times “Home” section, ran yesterday, Nov. 1st, and it’s all about planted roofs.

Thanks to the sage insights of LA designer Pamela Berstler of Flower to the People (isn’t that a very cool name for a design firm?), I received a crash course in greening-up rooftops. She partnered with fellow landscape designer Marilee Kuhlmann of Comfort Zones Garden Design, also in LA, to plant two small-but-elegant overhead gardens that shelter and hide pool equipment and the utility area for Marilee’s Sherman Oaks clients.

green roof detail

The use of crassula, echeveria, aeonium and sedums adds up to a lush, textural canvas in every shade of green….plus touches of burgundy, red, gold and cream. Kudos to these talented women.

Marilee is the dynamo responsible for the Santa Monica Green Gardens Tour, otherwise known as the “Attainable-Sustainable Tour,” which showcases local LA and Santa Monica backyards each spring (April 26, 2008 is the scheduled date). I can’t wait to get in on that event because it promises to inspire those of us who have the desire to use organic, sustainable and environmentally safe practices to design with the earth as our “client.”

Another great geen roof resouce is Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, a Toronto-based nonprofit membership association for companies and advocates for green roofs (and walls!). Steven Peck is the founder and president and shared his insights in my piece, as well.

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7 Responses to “A landscape in the sky”

  1. Kathy Says:

    Congrats on breaking into the LA Times.

  2. Dee Says:

    I second Kathy’s congrats. Large market. Keep up the good work.

  3. admin Says:

    The real thanks goes to our friend writer Nan Sterman, who graciously suggested me to her editor at the LA Times. That was a truly unselfish act that I hope to emulate!

  4. MA Says:

    You know, I continue to be insanely jealous that you are seeing stuff withOUT me! Waaaaaaaah.

  5. KaitabasuraMardhanaya Says:

    There is obviously a lot to know about this. I think you made some good points in Features also.

  6. Rooftop Crop: Edible Gardens Overhead By Debra Prinzing « The Culinary Image Says:

    […] wrote about Los Angeles’s gardens-in-the-sky in 2007, so when my chef-photographer friend Rico Mandel told me about a rooftop vegetable and herb […]

  7. Clinton Says:

    Hey, can I share your post with my readers? Let me know if it’s okay or not.

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