Green Roof Vegetation

Green roofs mitigate water runoff and sewer overflows.

Green roof vegetation.

As the nation s leading supplier of plants for green roof systems since 1998 our accomplished horticulture team has more experience than any other nursery in the united states growing plants for successful green roof projects. A green roof or living roof is a roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium planted over a waterproofing membrane it may also include additional layers such as a root barrier and drainage and irrigation systems. Container gardens on roofs where plants are maintained in pots are not generally considered to be true green roofs although. Vegetation and soil act as a sponge absorbing and filtering water that would normally plunge down gutters wash through polluted streets and over tax sewer systems.

Plants for extensive green roofs should have low growth height rapid growth spreading and fibrous roots that have high drought tolerance. Founded the first green roof nursery in north america. Their low growing and or spreading habits great drought tolerance seasonal flowers and contrasting foliage colours textures and forms make them ideal candidates for green roofs. We are active in green roof plant research.

We have chosen to use the word vegetative rather than the word green in this guide because a non vegetative roof could be considered to be environmentally green without being vegetative. A green roof s plants remove air particulates produce oxygen and provide shade. Succulents particularly colourful sedums dominate shallow substrate green roofs across temperate europe and north america.