Londoner Grows A Beautiful Garden In An Asphalt Backyard . Mr . William Henfrey of Cromer Street , Kings Cross , has a garden full of flowers - but no soil ! His garden is just an asphalt backyard . The flowers are in pots - nearly two hundred of them - placed on empty dog kennels . The backyard is surrou nded by high walls and tall , smoking chimneys , but fuchsias , dahlias , geraniums and snap - dragons flourish . Gold fish and Dutch carp swim in an aquarium and roses climb around a trelish arch . The mould used by Mr Henfry in his pots he bought in a haversack from Hillingdon , Middlesex . Photo shows : Mr . William Henfrey trying up his rambling roses . 26 Aug 1936 Original caption from negative *** Local Caption ***