Introduction
Green roofs are roofs planted for aesthetic and ecological reasons. Sedums thrive where roofs are hottest, coldest, and driest; they shrug off wind, short droughts, sudden downpours, and winter chill—exactly the conditions you’ll find on most rooftops.
The Details
Green roofs are often said to provide multiple benefits, including:
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stormwater management,
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energy moderation for the building below,
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mitigation of urban heat-island effects, and
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food and cover for butterflies and birds.
Sedums are ideal because many tough, mat-forming kinds will spread quickly, shading the surface and leaving little space for weeds to germinate. On most buildings, the growing layer is shallow, so low, drought-tolerant plants that ask for minimal care are the practical choice. Good candidates include:
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Sedum album
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Sedum ellacombianum
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Sedum ewersii
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Sedum spurium
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Sedum kamtschaticum
Not everyone is convinced that green roofs work well everywhere, and results do depend on climate, design, and installation. Choose a lightweight, well-drained substrate; plan for secure edging and overflow; and water during establishment. After that, routine maintenance is usually simple—occasional weeding, a seasonal check of drains, and a light trim where stems overrun edges.
If you’re experimenting, start small, and favor hardy, spreading sedums and their hybrids. Mix textures—fine and coarse foliage—so the roof looks good in all seasons, and rely on several clones rather than one. In spring, new growth greens up quickly; by summer, carpets knit together; in fall and winter, colors shift toward russet, bronze, and deep green. On a sunny, wind-swept roofline, that quiet, low-maintenance tapestry is exactly the point.
Green Roofs Provide Sustainable Solutions
