Summer '21
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GREEN ROOFS MYTHBUSTERS<br />
>>> Continued from page 14<br />
When putting together a plant mix,<br />
think about how the community might<br />
develop over time. A range of different<br />
plants will react differently to extreme<br />
weather conditions providing greater<br />
resilience. It is also possible for some<br />
species to gradually disappear over<br />
time or be crowded out by vigorous<br />
neighbours, which may only become<br />
apparent over several years.<br />
The maintenance planning should<br />
consider whether the emerging plant<br />
community is still robust enough to<br />
withstand next year’s unknown weather<br />
cocktail, or if it has become dominated<br />
by one or two species that could<br />
become vulnerable and die back – as<br />
can be the case when invasive grasses<br />
take over.<br />
There are further important practical<br />
considerations for your plant palette<br />
including the lead times, growing<br />
season and commercial availability of<br />
material. A large range of perennials<br />
may be commercially available<br />
as 9cm pots rather than plugs –<br />
although plugs can also be available<br />
and are advantageous for quick<br />
root establishment. If 9cm (P9)<br />
plants are used there may be more<br />
displacement of substrate depending<br />
on planting density.<br />
Plants should be grown in a peat-free<br />
medium which supports the root<br />
integration into the substrate, as well<br />
as the wider responsibly-sourced<br />
growing media agenda.<br />
Many species can be requested to be<br />
grown to order in the required size in<br />
season from March – July.<br />
My ‘top tip’ for successful planting is<br />
to be clear on what performance you<br />
want and design accordingly. Readily<br />
available wildflowers and sedums<br />
could actually provide a more resilient<br />
community when combined rather<br />
than used separately. As we have ever<br />
greater need for clever optimisation<br />
of space and thrifty use of resources,<br />
we can employ the wide diversity of<br />
beautiful, multi-functional plant life to<br />
create the best nature-based solutions<br />
to support wildlife, people, and the<br />
planet.<br />
All Images courtesy of<br />
Boningale Ltd.<br />
Contact<br />
Boningale Ltd.<br />
www.boningale-greensky.co.uk<br />
Tweet: @boningaleroofs<br />
16 GREENSCAPE FEB 2021 • www.greenscapemag.co.uk
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