Gardening up high

On an exposed terrace, plants finish the growing season earlier than in a more proteced space. Up here, in early September, it feels like the real autumn, not just the meteorological version.

This is the last year that London will peek through the gap between buildings. A new house is being built to match its neighbour in looks and height.

The roof garden, however, will remain, changing and developing as it has done for the 30 years we have lived here. The main adjustment in planting over the years has been the steady growth in the number of grasses. They are, after all, perfectly suited to the dry and windy conditions up here.