Landscaping and green roofs in Edinburgh

1. Roof areas are covered in turf and wild grass. 2. Scottish wildflowers and plants planted to complement the nearby Holyrood Park and Salisbury Crags. 3. The Parliament is running a bee project "Honey bees at the Scottish Parliament". The specified implementation activities included the use of wild grasses and trees already found in the area as well as trees representing those found across Scotland. A large area of the grounds has been raised up and planted with indigenous Scottish wildflowers, shrubs, wild grasses and trees. The wildflower meadows have been designed to contrast with the cut turf lawns and feature plants such a sticky catchfly, dropwort and meadow cranesbill. In addition, a large number of yellow rattle seeds was planted. The wildflower meadows were designed to contrast with the cut turf lawns and Miralles chose to re-introduced flowers such as 'Sticky Catchfly', 'Dropwort' and 'Meadow Crane's-bill' into the meadows. The oak and lime trees in the landscaped area were designed to mirror those in the perimeter of Holyrood Palace. In addition, Rowan trees, traditionally seen as a symbol of good luck, have been planted in various locations around the parliament. A solitary tree has been planted close to the public entrance. There are three water features, in front of the oak and concrete façade of the main entrance. The ponds were designed to reflect the lochans in Holyrood Park and to mark the entrance to the building. At the end of the Canongate Wall, there is a gap which opens to a small rooftop garden nestled behind the 'Mackintosh' style railings. At the foot of the garden is a single Rowan Tree. The garden and the tree were designed to allow the landscaping and the park to break through to the Canongate.(ref 1, 3)