Roof Systems Of Prairie Plants

The deep system is used for biodiverse green roofs.

Roof systems of prairie plants.

Moisture loving plants are found closest to or in the water while less moisture dependent plants or plants with deep roots are found as you move up the banks towards the upland areas. Also many of the hardy highly adaptable prairie plants grow nicely outside their native region. Literature templates and analogs richard k. Coffmane and gord kochf aun lincoln department of agronomy and horticulture and the program in landscape architecture 279 plant sciences lincoln ne usa 68583 0915 402 472 1127 rsutton1 unl edu corresponding author.

The plants were selected for their ability to thrive in the conditions on the roof which is exposed to the sun and can be windy and arid. The above ground part of the plant provides food for other living organisms oxygen for the atmosphere habitats for other living creatures and fuel for the prairie fires in the fall. The natural properties of sedum make this succulent plant extremely suitable for roof greening. Many people don t understand the importance of the enormous root systems of some of prairie plants.

Ferns such as polypodium vulgare and asplenium trichomanes could be used in dry shady conditions. Mat forming species of sedum sempervivum and moss are good choices. Because she didn t have to buy many plants their 1 200 grant from the watershed district covered the majority of the roofing project. Diboll sells customized seed mixes for sandy or clay soils and wet or dry.

Try dry habitat perennials and. Some seeds will never sprout without prairie fires. Eighty percent came from what i already had in the yard diane said of the sedum day lilies herbs and prairie plants collected over the years and recently relocated to the garage roof. Succulents are plants that store water in a part of the plant.

Volume 7 number 1 143 prairie based green roofs. Most are prairie plants native to the chicago region. Carex nigra is technically considered a sedge and is often used on living roofs because its roots require less soil than most other grasses or grass like plants. One can literally create a prairie or shade garden on the roof.

Common sedum species used include sedum acre s. Harringtonb lee skabelundc peter macdonaghd reid r. Some gardeners use prairie plants to overcome landscaping obstacles such as stabilizing a steep hillside planting on septic drain fields or penetrating hard to work soils. With 6 inch soil depth it becomes possible to support a broad array of non succulent plants.

The city hall rooftop garden improves air quality conserves energy reduces stormwater runoff and helps lessen the urban heat island effect.