It is necessary to plant unpretentious green plants, sun-loving, drought- and winter-hardy, with flexible stems, and compact superficial root systems.
1. This reduces air pollution, because plants absorb carbon dioxide, and instead emit oxygen. According to German scientists, the grass cover on the roof with an area of 15 m кількість produces enough oxygen for a group of 50 people. Also, plants are keeping dust and toxic substances contained in the air.
2. This is a good insulator: it keeps the room cool in summer and warm in winter. So it reduces the cost of air conditioning and heating the house.
3. Green roof reduces noise for upper floor residents.
4. Landscaping protects the roof from the effects of ultraviolet rays and mechanical damage, which significantly increases its service life.
5. Landscaping the roof performs an aesthetic function: the garden can turn the roof into a real work of art, the building will give a spectacular look.
6. These are additional free square meters in the conditions of dense city buildings. This is an opportunity to equip a great place for a pleasant outdoor holiday without having to travel outside the city.
7. Green oases – an effective remedy for stress. What could be better than relaxing on a lawn? The roof garden is an additional space for the city dweller, own corner of wildlife among the sea of concrete and asphalt.
How to arrange a green roof
There are different ways to plant a roof or terrace. The easiest way is to place containers with plants on a flat roof, put garden furniture, place a pergola or a light gazebo, pave decorative paths.
Extensive method of landscaping the roof involves planting on the roof with waterproofing of various varieties of perennials that require minimal care (do not require watering and pruning). As a rule, these are different sedums (stonecrops). Such a roof will last a long time without care.
Intensive landscaping can turn the roof into a real paradise but requires a lot of resources. It involves planting shrubs and trees, lawns and flower beds, and sometimes the arrangement of alpine slides and even small ponds. This method of landscaping requires a strong roof that can withstand a lot of weight, as well as additional waterproofing, laying a barrier for the roots and drainage layer, irrigation, and drainage systems.
If the design of the roof does not allow to lay heavy paving, you can do it with river pebbles or artificial green cover. By the way, the roof is the only place where the artificial turf has a harmonious look. It is light and bright, which will emphasize the overall design.
Soil mixtures for plants and containers should also be light. They should be securely fastened in place, for example, fastened with screws to the floor so as not to be blown away by the wind.
What plants to choose
The roof garden is constantly open to sunlight and gusts of wind. Therefore, it is necessary to plant unpretentious plants, sun-loving, drought- and winter-hardy, with flexible stems, compact superficial root system.
Suitable: Stonecrop, Ericaceae, Oregano, Lavender, Clematis, Low-growing Marigolds, Daisies, Pelargoniums, Periwinkle, Aubrieta, Verbena, Thyme, Cloves, etc.
Choose plants that look good throughout the season, such as Irises, Miscanthus, Phalaris, Anaphalis. Maiden Grapes are suitable for pergolas and landscaping.
Pay attention to the following bushes: Spirea, Garden Jasmine, Physocarpus, Turf Grass, Barberry Thunberg, Spirea Bumalda, Digitalis, Cypress, Juniper, Rhododendrons.
Among the trees, you can also choose species that will feel good in the summer in the sun, and in winter will not die in a container in which the soil freezes through. These can be Betula Nana, Rowan, Willow, Maple, as well as conifers: Mountain Pine, European Larch.
It is possible to arrange on a roof and a lawn, and both usual, and meadow. However, the grass on the roof needs regular watering, as rain may not be enough.
Containers should be light but strong – made of wood or plastic. Pour expanded clay or crushed polyfoam on the bottom (this is necessary to facilitate the construction and create drainage). Put any geotextile on top (so that the soil does not fall into the drainage). Use the soil mixture as weightless as possible, but not clean peat. It is better to prepare a mixture of fertile soil, peat (or sphagnum moss), and perlite (easy replacement of sand) in a ratio of 1:1:1. The mixture is suitable for most plants. It is necessary to periodically apply the fertilizers needed for each plant or group of plants.
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