technical information sheet

INTRODUCTION TO WILDFLOWER GREEN ROOFS

introduction to wildflower green roofs

What is a green roof?
A green roof (also known as a living roof or eco-roof) is created when living plants are grown on a roof structure. The roof can be several storeys above ground level and may be either an intensive or extensive green roof.
Intensive green roofs require a high degree of maintenance, relatively deep substrates and can support a wide range of plants from trees and shrubs, to grass and flowers. They may also contain a water feature and are generally heavy, requiring specific support from the building. They are what most people think of as roof gardens. Extensive green roofs require minimal maintenance and a relatively shallow level of growing medium. They are composed of lightweight layers of free-draining material that support low growing, tough, drought resistant plants. They require little or no support from the building and because the plants are adapted to the extremes of a roof top environment high winds, hot sun, drought and winter cold they require little in the way of maintenance.

Wildflower green roof products from Lindum

Lindum Wildflower for Green Roofs is a mixture of wildflowers and grasses growing in a moisture retentive biodegradable felt*, to provide an instant established green roof. Lindum Green Roof Mix is a mix of wildflowers, sedums, herbs and other species for use as a direct replacement for pure sedum mats. Both include a range of carefully chosen wildflowers and other species to flower over a prolonged period, create visual interest and attract a variety of wildlife. The biodegradable felt medium that the plants are growing in is made from recycled British textiles. The felt medium not only acts as a grass/ weed barrier, but also retains moisture to aid establishment. The result is a strong living carpet (rolls are up to 2 metres wide) that can be rolled out for instant effect.

Benefits of wildflowers on a green roof

Biodiversity the variety of plant species in both Lindum Wildflower for Green Roofs and Lindum Green Roof Mix support a diverse range of bird, insect and animal species. Wildflowers are greatly superior to pure sedums in this respect. Visual impact a range of flowers over an extended flowering season resulting in a visually pleasing effect. Lightweight they will grow in an appropriate lightweight substrate of minimum 75mm depth. Easy to install Lindums wildflower green roof products simply roll out like a carpet. Low maintenance Lindums wildflower green roof products usually require only one cut a year in autumn. Drought tolerant there should be no need for additional irrigation, except in periods of extreme prolonged drought or where aesthetic value in dry periods is important. Lindums wildflower green roof products can grow on a slope of up to 30 degrees.
*made from recycled British Textiles using patented Grassfelt technology

What are benefits of green roofs?

Help to combat the effects of pollution the green plants absorb noise, trap dust, recycle carbon dioxide, absorb and break down many gaseous pollutants. Absorb rainfall that would normally run straight off hard surfaces and are therefore important to reduce urban flooding. Promote biodiversity and create a natural habitat, encouraging a wide range of insects, birds and butterflies. Reduce the urban heat island effect and the energy costs associated with keeping buildings cool in hot weather.

Research and development

Lindum, working with the University of Sheffields Green Roof Centre, has developed wildflower mixtures specifically for green roofs, which can be grown and laid out as an instant growing carpet.

Basic profile of a wildflower green roof

1. Structural considerations
Structural considerations are extremely important. Lightweight extensive systems with substrate depths of 50mm-100mm increase the loading on a roof by approximately 70-170 kg/m2.

WILDFLOWER GREEN ROOF PRODUCTS FROM LINDUM SPECIFICATION

SUPPLIER PRODUCTS USES GROWING MAT SPEC VEGETATION SPEC Lindum Seeded Turf Ltd indum Wildflower for Green Roofs L Lindum Green Roof Mix Extensive green roofs / Intensive green roofs 450g per m2 biodegradable Grassfelt TM Lindum Wildflower for Green Roofs native wildflowers / meadow grasses Lindum Green Roof Mix wildflowers / sedum / herbs / flowering perennials Other site-specific mixtures are available following consultation ROLL WIDTH ROLL LENGTH FINAL THICKNESS WEIGHT SLOPES 0.75-2.0 metres Variable dependent on site measurements and handling ability 20mm-25mm pproximately 15 kg per m2 when moist A Approximately 22 kg per m2 when saturated Up to 30 degrees

2. Waterproof membrane
Lindum is working with several companies who produce membranes for green roofs. Please contact us for details.

3. Drainage layer
The function of the drainage layer is to avoid pooling of water on a flat roof. Extensive green roof vegetation which is drought tolerant does not like prolonged soil saturation. On slopes of five degrees or more, drainage may be effective without the need for a specific drainage layer. A drainage layer may also act as a reservoir in dry times. Drainage layers can come from a large range of materials, varying in weight and cost: Granular materials such as gravel, stone chips, clinker, lava rock, expanded clay granules. Porous drainage panels made from recycled plastics. Lightweight plastic drainage modules, some of which store water.

GRASSFELT is a Registered Trade Mark of Lindum Seeded Turf Ltd Patent number GB 2405569

4. Filter mat
A semi-permeable polypropylene fabric laid over the drainage layer, to prevent fine material from the growing medium washing into the drainage layer.

General topsoil is unsuitable being too heavy and too fertile. Recycled materials such as crushed clay bricks or tiles, which have some nutrient and moisture retention properties, are well suited and can be mixed with 20% of organic material such as recycled green waste. Alternatives to brick rubble are light expanded clay granules (LECA) or lava. Many companies offer a ready mixed, lightweight substrate. Substrate depth for wildflowers should be a minimum of 75mm. Low maintenance (slow growing) and drought tolerant grass mixtures require a minimum of 100mm.

Advice
In conjunction with the Green Roof Centre, Lindum can provide consultancy for large projects. Advice on the construction of green roofs is available from many sources including: www.thegreenroofcentre.co.uk www.livingroofs.org

5. Substrate
The characteristics of a good substrate or growing medium are: Ability to absorb and retain water (but also having free draining properties). Provide anchorage for the vegetative plants. Absorb and supply nutrients. Lightweight.

6. Vegetation layer
Lindums wildflower green roof products are sown as a mix of wildflowers and other species at the correct density for optimum establishment. They are supplied as an instant vegetation layer ready to roll out directly onto the substrate.

Supply
Lindum can provide details of specialist waterproof membrane companies. Drainage layers and substrates suitable for wildflower green roofs can be supplied by Lindum as a green roof package.

Lindum Wildflower for Green Roofs is available as a standard mixture containing non-aggressive grasses and a range of wildflower species including: Cats Ear Cowslip Ladys Bedstraw Meadow Buttercup Red Campion Ribwort Plantain Salad Burnet Self Heal Yarrow Yellow Rattle

Further information
For more information on vegetation layer options, or Lindums green roof package, visit our website or contact us to request a technical specification sheet.

Lindum Green Roof Mix combines the more drought tolerant aspects of sedums with the colour and ecological benefits of wildflowers, herbs and other species. Can be used as a direct replacement for pure sedum mats. Also available: Lindum Low Maintenance Turf a grass only mix containing drought tolerant species with low growth habit.
Basic profile of a lightweight extensive green roof.

Contact
Lindum Turf, West Grange, Thorganby, York, YO19 6DJ t: f: e: w:

Contract growing of specific mixtures for large projects (in excess of 1000 m2) is available.

01904 448675 01904 448713 lindum@turf.co.uk www.turf.co.uk