3 Types of Roof Gardens

Aesthetically pleasing, roof gardens are functional as well. In addition to growing food, roof gardens can also provide temperature control, hydrological benefits and architectural enhancements. In some instances they can even be wildlife habitats. There are a number of advantages when you plant a roof garden. On a hot day, for instance, the garden can cool the room beneath it. In the winter it can provide insulation from the cold. Water is retained from evaporating in Germany because roof gardens are required there. It will prevent flash floods from occurring. Three basic types of roof gardens exist. The primary differences are related to the depth of the soil, the type of plants the roof will support, and the required maintenance.

Extensive Roof Garden

Due to the shallow soil, this type of roof garden is easiest to maintain. Because they are lightweight, extensive roof gardens work wonderfully on top of garages, sheds and other small home extensions. Although it’s easy to maintain this type of roof garden, it has the least aesthetic value, and the number of plants that can grow on it is quite limited. Lichens and mosses are prime examples of plants that thrive in an extensive roof garden. Surfaces like metal, glass and plastic are ideal places for lichens, which are symbiotic organisms, to colonize. Mosses, which are small small green plants, do not depend on large amounts of nutrients for survival. Known for clinging to stones and walls, these plants can live off of nothing more than rainwater.

Semi-Extensive Roof Garden

These roof gardens, which have deeper soil, are capable of supporting a greater variety of plants. These types, therefore, are more easily decorated than extensive roof gardens. Stronger structures are needed to support semi-extensive roof gardens due to their having heavier soil. A good plant choice for this type of garden is sedums, which can store water in their tissues. That means you won’t need to go out and water them every day – but during times of drought, they could die and turn patchy if not properly cared for. Wildflowers that don’t need any maintenance are also ideal for semi-extensive roof gardens.

Intensive Roof Garden

This type of roof garden can support trees and elaborate arrangements. Intensive roof gardens require large, strong structures to support them. Concrete buildings and on top of roof decks are the most common places for intensive roof gardens to be installed since most single-home dwellings prove unsuitable for such projects. Assuming the structure of the building can support the weight, there is no limit to what you can plant in an intensive roof garden.

About the author: Megan Barlow helps others learn to live more eco-friendly lives. Find out more about green living at her blog on Green and Environmentally Friendly Gadgets.

This article was originally posted at Three Roof Garden Variations.