Spent today at Vancouver Public Library and took my time in nature today while sitting in the sun on the rooftop Phillips, Hager and North Garden.
“With views of the city skyline from a unique vantage point, the Phillips, Hager and North Garden on level 9 provides Vancouver a publicly accessible rooftop garden within the downtown core. Whether you are seeking a respite from your busy day or a place to connect with friends, it is Vancouver’s natural meeting place. There are 52 solar panels installed along the outside of the roof. The garden is planted with drought-resistant, hardy local greenery. There is a mix of arbutus hedge, honeysuckle, white roses, lavender and coral bark maple trees.”
– Vancouver Public Library, https://www.vpl.ca/roofgarden
Strawberry tree
Arbutus unedo
Arbutus unedo is an evergreen shrub or a small tree native to Europe. It is colloquially called strawberry tree because its bright red fruits somewhat resemble strawberries. The fruits of this lovely plant are very nutritious and full of sugar, which is why they are mostly used for making jams, pastries, fruit yogurts, and alcoholic beverages.
Kinnikinnick
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is an intricately branching plant native to the northern hemisphere. This plant blossoms have a sweet smell. The Latin name Arctostaphylos uva-ursi means, “grape of the bear,” referring to the plant’s berries.
Japanese maple
Acer palmatum
A woody plant native to East Asia, the japanese maple features hand-shaped leaves with five-pointed lobes that resemble the palm of a hand. It has been cultivated for millennia in Japan for bonsai creation. Extracts from the branches and leaves of this plant are used as medicine in Chinese traditional medicine.
English lavender
Lavandula angustifolia
The english lavender is a common flowering plant originally native to the Mediterranean region. Today, it is often used in scented products such as candles, oils, perfumes, soaps, and house sprays. The scent also has a deterrent effect against clothing moths.