Two years ago (on May 9, 2008) I helped install a green roof, along with other master gardener volunteers, at A3C Collaborative Architecture in downtown Ann Arbor.The roof serves as a demonstration and research garden that highlights many possible green roof options. Different sections showcase various plant types (meadow, alpine, and park), planting techniques (tray, mat, and monolithic/plug), and watering systems (irrigation and rain water only). The roof also serves to collect storm water which is rerouted as gray water into the building interior.
The trays were provided by LiveRoof and our installation training also certified us in the technique!
The plastic trays hold the medium and plants, and sit, as a whole unit, on top of the roof membrane. The sides of the trays lock together, but we had to be careful to orient the trays correctly so the proper sides interlocked. And the trays were heavy--25 pounds! The plastic around the edges is removed after trays are put into place, so the plants can spread into one another.
The growth medium here isn't for the trays, which contain their own growth medium, but for plugs planted on either side of the tray systems. It's really important no tiny pebbles get between the roof membrane and the trays, so one volunteer had to sweep while the others put the trays in place. Note the plastic edging being pulled out.
The trays were planted down the center of the roof and contain alpine plants (mostly Sedum). Here is the completed section.
Beyond the tray section, plants were established using a mat/rug system from Xero Flor America (XeroFlora). Volunteers were not involved in this installation, but it's easy to see how the system got its name: The mats come rolled up, like sod, with growing medium and plants already in place and are simply rolled out on site. XeroFlora also did the green roof at Ford's Rouge plant.
On either side of the tray plants, volunteers planted plugs and larger plants directly into the growing medium. This is the corner of the park section, with a little patio out of sight to the right.
The soil medium in which the plugs were planted is 93 percent inorganic. This prevents soil erosion (or particle size shrinkage) and soil compaction.
Here is the completed park area.
On the other side of the trays is the meadow area.
Once the trays, plugs, and mat were all in place, they were watered in. Now, an irrigation system waters half of the garden while the other half gets by on rain water only.
Watching you watching me... I had to get this photo of an Ann Arbor News (it still existed then!) photographer, perched high to get all the action.I went back later that year, on November 19, 2008, to see how things had progressed. Despite the slight snow cover, I could tell things had filled in over the summer and fall.
I love rain chains.
Look how the grasses have grown in the meadow side!
Everything looks lush in the park corner...
And in the park area overall.
Some Dianthus deltoides 'Firewitch.'It's high time I visit again. I bet the plants have grown by leaps and bounds in two years! I've marked my calender for August.
More Info
- A3C green roof plant list
- A3C video explaining roof and materials (Select Green Roof to the right; Bonus points: how many times do I show up? ;-)
- Related article about the green roof at the Malletts Creek library branch
Looks great...even if it was 2 years ago!! Dianthus 'Firewitch' is one of my favorite plants.
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool. I would love to see how it looks now.
ReplyDeleteVery nice! I've always wanted to see a green/living roof get put in.
ReplyDeleteI wish they sold mat/roll systems at the garden center instead of sod. I'd totally buy that and roll it out in some bare batches where grass used to grow.
Hi Monica....wonderful job. I am a fan of green roofs. They are very very popular here. People have them on their sheds, bee hives, and of course, their homes.
ReplyDeleteI keep telling myself I must look into this option for our garden shed. You may have just pushed me forward a little, tku.
Great looking roof-top. Love the dianthus--and the rain chain.
ReplyDeleteWow, that looks a big project. Sedum roofing is big, over here in the UK - a fashion thing, I guess - and some of them have been around for a while, now.
ReplyDeleteI wonder, though, how well they'll cope long term, parrticularly in a climate which has hot summer and cold winters. Hope they do well - it's such a great way to green an urban landscape.
Great job! Take lots of pictures when you go back!-- Randy
ReplyDeleteSuper duper work! Oh I look forward to seeing it in August. Our lottie neighbour has just installed a green roof - fab idea.
ReplyDeleteHOpe we will see a lot more green roofs soon.
ReplyDeleteI wonder about the trays. They seem very tightly planted. How much maintenance will they require.
Marnie
Wow! That is a great post showing how it's done, and a beautiful result! I've wondered about a green roof on my dad's cottage to keep it cool - it's in full sun and gets hot indeed - but the slope is probably too steep. And how would we maintain it? Still, we're thinking about it...
ReplyDeleteWhat a great experience Monica. I would love to see our city embrace more green roofs...Glad to hear that PPPP is blooming so well! gail
ReplyDeleteVery creative! Wave of the future for us all?
ReplyDeleteI suppose I'll have a green roof if it doesn't stop raining pretty soon. Just kidding. I think all roofs should be green. Imagine a community garden and outdoor living space on the top of every high rise... You do the coolest stuff. :)
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see more green roofs in the Southeast. Think of how different downtowns would look.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing the progress in August.
This is so cool, Monica. I hope you do go back soon and show us how everything has grown. Even in the winter under a snow cover, this looks beautiful!
ReplyDeleteFab roof garden, so big too. You must have been real chuffed to have been able to help built it.
ReplyDeleteBoah! Toll Ansichten vom "Grünen Dach". Ich hatte mir auch immer eines für unser Gartenhäuschen gewünscht. Leider haben wir es dann doch nicht in die Tat umgesetzt.
ReplyDeleteBei uns ist es lausig kalt. Es will und will kein Frühling kommen. Hoffe, bei Euch ist es schöner.
Liebe Grüße
Birgit
Girl, I ooh'd and ahh'd through that whole post! VERY cool, and now I want one!
ReplyDeleteLooks great. I love green living roofs, would have volunteered as well if i was there.
ReplyDeleteThis looks wonderful! Not just a green roof but a garden to boot.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, loved your post on my blog. It's nice to laugh first thing in the morning!
Very cool Monica. It must have been a wonderful experience participating in the planting, and being able to go back and see the progress and growth. I'll be looking forward to seeing photos from your next visit!
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting post! How fun that you got to participate in this.
ReplyDeleteNow... what about YOUR roof?? :-)
Monica I can't wait to see the new photo's, the whole project looks as if it's a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteI have seen European photos of this concept in magazines and I love this idea that's been in place in Europe for ages"...Wonderful post.
This is great - I wish there were more green roofs around the place. It must have been fun being part of the planting tea, too!
ReplyDeleteHow did I miss this post, Monica! Very interesting and well done. Again, sure enjoyed your visit ... will be anxious to see your rose in bloom :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great project. It looks like the plants made a lot of progress in their growth too.
ReplyDeleteI've seen these on a much smaller scale at our local Botanical Garden. The one you helped build is much grander and very cool with the stepping stone paths. :)
ReplyDeleteLove the bird's eye view. Looks great.
ReplyDeleteYou get involved in some really cool things! Thanks for sharing them with us.
ReplyDelete