Green roofs are a growing trend in New York, and for good reasons. They are easy to maintain and insulate the building from harsh weather. They also add beauty to the houses and also support the environment.
Choosing the best plants for a green roof is much more difficult than selecting plants for a regular garden. The roof is exposed to extreme weather conditions, unlike an indoor garden so you have to be more careful about the plant choices.
So the plants you select should withstand both cold and hot climates, should be low maintenance, and thrive in little soil. They should also be attractive and provide food and shelter for wildlife.
So what are the best plants suited for a green roof? This article explores some of the plants you can choose from.
Types of Best Plants For a Green Roof
When considering the best plants for your green roof, you need to consider the type of green roof you have. Green roofs can be intensive (thick), extensive (thin), or a combination of the two.
For an intensive roof, you will need to tend to it often, and you can grow different plants, while for an extensive roof, you won’t access it as much once it has been established, so sedums work best. There are three types of plants that you can consider.
1. Succulents
Succulents are plants whose leaves and stems are thick and fleshy and retain water. They don’t need a lot of soil to grow and are low maintenance, making them suitable for green roofs.
Furthermore, they will cover a large area and don’t need regular watering. Since they retain water they protect the roof better than grass covers. They are available in different colors, and they beautify your roof. Examples of succulents include sedums and sempervivums.
2. Grass
Grass is ideal for green roofs because they cover a large area and can grow alongside succulents. They also require less soil and can withstand extreme temperatures. Examples of grass include saxifrage granulate, carexflacca, and sea thrift.
3. Groundcovers
Groundcovers grow horizontally, spread quickly, and can cover a large area. They also prevent the growth of weeds and are ideal for green roofs. Examples of groundcovers include delosperma and ophiopogon japonicas.
Top 11 Best Plants for a Green Roof
- Sedum sarmentosum, also known as gold moss stonecrop is evergreen and thrives best in colder climates. Sedums are the best plants for a green roof because they are easy to maintain and need little soil to thrive.
- Sedum spurium, also known as two row stonecrop, is ideal for green roofs because it grow in any type of soil. They have beautiful star-shaped pink, red, or white flowers, which are attractive to insects and insulate the roof.
- Sedum album, also known as white stonecrop, produces white star-shaped flowers in summer. They need little maintenance, grow well in little soil, and insulate the roof from harsh weather.
- Sempervivums, also known as house leeks, are evergreen, low maintenance, come in a variety of colors, and live for a long time. They also have attractive flowers that attract insects, which are necessary for pollination.
- Saxifrage granulate, also known as meadow saxifrage, grows well in dry soil and full sun. It has beautiful snowy white flowers, which add beauty to the green roof and feed the bees.
- Carexflacca which is also referred to as blue sedge, is also low maintenance and can withstand all climates. It is low maintenance and resistant to drought and extreme sun or cold. It brings the green roof alive with the blue color throughout the seasons.
- Carexelata aurea also known as Bowles golden sedge, has low maintenance and thrives in wet soil. It is ideal for rainy and humid temperatures.
- Sea thrift is a grassy plant that often grows in coastal areas. It is ideal for a green roof because it adapts well to the harsh climate in a green roof. It has beautiful pink or white flowers that blossom in summer and will add a nice appeal to the green roof.
- Ophiopogon japonica, also known as mondo grass, is a flowering plant that grows vertically. It is ideal for a green roof because it can grow in cold climates and has beautiful lilac flowers that add some color to the green roof.
- Delosperma cooperi also referred to as pink carpet, delosperma is a perennial plant that grows quickly, spreads easily, and covers the entire area, leaving a carpet-like look. The plant has pink, purple, or orange colors and can tolerate hot climates.
- Oregano is a Mediterranean herb that thrives in well drained soil. It requires little maintenance and gives a good cover on the roof. It is ideal if you want to create a herb garden on the roof. The beautiful flowers attract and feed the bees.
FAQs
- What plant is best suited for green roofs?
Succulents such as sedum, delosperma and Sempervivum are great choices for a green roof because they can’t withstand the harsh climate in the roof. they also retain water and require low maintenance.
- How long do green roofs last?
Green roof can last 40 plus years depending on the type of plants that you chose.
- What are the disadvantages of green roofs?
The downsides of a green roof is that it may be expensive to maintain than a traditional roof and may increase the weight load of a roof.
- What are 5 benefits of a green roof?
The benefits of a green roof includes insulating the roof, purifying the air and regulating the indoor temperatures. they are also good for the environment and feed the bees.
- Which problem are green roofs most likely to solve?
Green roofs save energy and regulates temperatures of building during hot or cold climates. they can protect the roof from overheating by providing a an extra layer of insulation.
Final Thoughts
When choosing the best plants for a green roof you have to consider the climate and the look that you want to achieve. You can opt for succulents, grass or groundcovers according to what you want to achieve. You can also combine the different plants for better aesthetics.
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