Green Roof Extension of the Month – September 09

After a long battle with the local planning authorities, this extension in Essex after seven years has got the recognition it is well overdue, winning the ‘Drought Garden’ category in the recent Thurrock in Bloom competition. Andy adds…

‘I was surprised to get the award, but it was a good idea to enter the roof in the ‘Drought Garden’ (Thurrock in Bloom)section .

Both Sue and I are very proud of our sedum roof, which celebrated its 7th Birthday this year, and naturally like to share our enthusiasm with others. Although interest in Green Roofs is definately on the increase, we both feel smaller suburban projects need promoting more. We felt that entering the roof in the local ‘In Bloom’ competition would achieve this aim, especially as it impressed the judges enough to make a special mention at the Award Ceremony. Not bad,considering the roof had finished the majority of flowering 2/3 weeks earlier.

Personally I struggle to understand why smaller private suburban projects are not more popular. I have sneaking feeling people are uneasy about the waterproofing aspect of the build. Something we have never had a problem with – the pond liner works a treat.

As for tips:

• we have never regretted putting in two Velux windows in the roof, the natural daylight is energy saving, gives great views of cloud formations, and creates wonderful shadows on sunny mornings and evenings.

• Adding pieces of driftwood,river pebbles,upturned broken clay flowerpots adds focal points especially during the non flowering periods.

• Never be afraid to add plants after the initial planting I have had varying degrees of sucess with Spider plants(Chlorophytum comosum variegatum), Lewisas, Small Scabious, Portulaca and Echeveria elegans.

• We be very persistant with your Local Planning Authority.They may appear not to want to bother with green roofs,but they do really, and they may even end up giving you an Award for the mantelpiece; if,that is you can find space amongst your wife’s Tennis Trophies!’

The roof was installed by John and Rob Little of the grassroof company seven years ago and teh roof feature in our tour of green roofs during the Essex green roof workshop we ran in July this year. The green roof is a classic example of an excellent sedum blanket installation, featuring both living roof and brown roof features, such as additional planting and features for wildlife.