Roofs & Rambles

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Hadn’t visited The Muse for a month or so the home of Justin Bere and Bere architects. Back in May, the main meadow roof had been dominated by common vetch. This had been a bit of worry. However the fact that a local house sparrow family were foraging on the profuse aphids covering the plants made up for their dominance. However, as the common vetch has come and gone, the other herbs planted have come into there own and the diversity is back.
In May Bumblebees and other bees had been seem using the roofs. Since then a beehive has been installed and the roof is now all a buzz as the honey bees make use of the wide range of nectar plants.
The upper roof, which is slightly drier meadow, is doing – no doubt due to rain in June and July. Birds Foot Trefoil dominates, but flax, tunic flower and campion are growing well too. Vipers bugloss is evident too but they are much shorter than those on the main meadow.

Designed along the brown roof principles this has come into it’s own a lot quicker than other brown roofs.

The hazel grove is looking luxuriant and producing nuts. Cob nuts being a favourite nut of mine I sample one. Delicious.

Justin tells me aside from the house sparrows, goldfinches and tits a family of wrens hang out in the grove for a few days.

The four green roofs are evolving more than I had expected. The muse is a great example of living roofs – integrating habitats at roof level.