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The rooftop garden may be best when planted with vegetation native to the locale. In the Midwest, this means plants that can absorb and store rainwater. Many of these plants don’t require much water, and do well with dry spells.

AUDIO: NATIVE PLANTS

AUDIO: ROOFTOP EVOLUTION




Natural landscaping refers to the use of native vegetation–particularly prairie, wetland and woodland species–on a development or redevelopment site. Native vegetation is a low-cost alternative to traditional landscaping that utilizes turf grass and ornamental plantings.

A site that is naturally landscaped will produce substantially less stormwater runoff than a conventional landscape. Native vegetation enhances both absorption of rainfall and evaporation of soil moisture due to extensive root systems that extend down 3 to 10 feet or more. In contrast, the root zone of turf grass typically extends only about 3 to 4 inches. The benefits of natural landscaping are enhanced if runoff from impervious surfaces is routed across native vegetation buffer strips. A local residential site assessment indicated that annual storm runoff volumes from a residential development could be reduced by as much as 65 percent by utilizing swales and filter strips with native wet prairie and prairie vegetation. Similarly, natural landscaping reduces pollutants associated with urban runoff. In the residential site assessment, it was estimated that removal rates for suspended solids and heavy metals (such as cadmium and lead) could be as high as 80 percent and removal rates for nutrients (such as phosphorus and nitrogen) could be as high as 70 percent for a residential development utilizing natural drainage and native landscaped filter strips.

In addition to reducing stormwater runoff, natural landscaping provides a host of other benefits. Deep-rooted native plants effectively stabilize soils and prevent erosion along stream banks and detention basin edges. The reduced maintenance needs of natural landscaping not only save money, but also reduce air, water and noise pollution. Natural landscaping also provides habitat for native and migrating birds, butterflies, and insects. Natural landscapes, especially trees, also moderate temperature extremes (such as the “urban heat island” effect), resulting in reduced heating and air conditioning costs.

Finally, natural landscaping provides four seasons of color and textures not commonly found in conventional landscapes, and requires less maintenance over time.

Applicability
Natural landscaping is feasible on nearly all sites as an alternative to conventional landscaping. It should be tailored to individual site characteristics, factoring in topography, soils, drainage patterns and sun exposure. On some sites natural landscaping can be installed or preserved in an informal setting; on others, native plants can be used in more formal settings in place of imported species. Suggested site applications include: river or wetland edges, detention basin and drainage features, parks, green roofs, residential areas and gardens, commercial, industrial and institutional developments.

Maintenance Considerations
Natural landscaping requires much less maintenance–less irrigation, mowing, fertilizer and pesticides–than conventional landscaping. Natural landscape maintenance typically involves annual mowing or controlled burning. Burning may not be possible on small lots but it is one of the best methods of maintaining natural landscaping. Some initial watering and spot spraying to control invasive weeds also may be needed, but this need diminishes rapidly once the natural landscape is well established (generally within 3-4 years).

Cost Considerations
Costs will vary from site to site depending on site size, plant selection and other factors. In general, it is expected that installation costs will be similar for both conventional turf and natural landscapes (roughly $2,000 -$4,000 per acre). Conventional landscaping costs will be higher if sod and irrigation systems are installed. In the long run, maintenance costs for natural landscapes will be much lower than conventional landscapes–typically half or as little as one-fifth the cost of conventional landscapes.

RESOURCES

1. TetraGreen
Sedum, commonly called Stonecrop, is widely distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere. This is a large group of hardy and tender succulents. There are many different types of Sedum. Some are large, some are tiny.

Source:
Email: info@greenroof.com
866-832-8287


2. Ecoroof Question and Answer, Portland's Bureau of Environment
Portland’s Ecoroof Program is a cooperative effort of the Bureau of Environmental Services and the Office of Sustainable Development. The program promotes ecoroofs by researching ecoroof technologies and providing information and technical assistance to community members. This site responds to the many questions a prospective green roof owner might have.

Source:
Environmental Services, City of Portland
Dan Saltzman, Commissioner
Dean Marriott, Director
© 2000 Environmental Services, Portland, Oregon
503-823-7740


3. A Guide to Rooftop Gardening- City of Chicago Department of Environment
Plants appropriate for extensive green roofs favor poor soils. Generally, the growing media should be as deep and have as great a volume as possible within the constraints of the structural capacity, in order to provide plants with stability in wind and keep the system from becoming too dry.

Source: City of Chicago


4. Center for Green Technology City of Chicago Department of Environment
The campus at Chicago Green Tech features only plants that are native to this region of the Midwest and does not feature any traditional turf grass. Water conservation is critical at CCGT, and turf grass requires significantly more water to survive than do native plants.

Source: City of Chicago


5. EPA Conservation and Native Landscaping Awards
The United States Environmental Protection Agency in Chicago and Chicago Wilderness developed the Conservation and Native Landscaping Awards to recognize outstanding efforts by corporations, park districts and municipalities to use native plants in the landscape within the Chicago Wilderness region.

More information is available at www.chicagowilderness.org


6. Peggy Notebaert Press Release: CHICAGO, GROW NATIVE!
A yard landscaped with plants native to the Illinois region doesn't just provide year-round beauty. It also ultimately saves time and money, and benefits the environment by reducing the need for fertilizers, pesticides and continuous watering. And that's just the beginning.

Source:
February, 2002
Contact: Lydia R. Hall/Amy Ward
Public Communications Inc.
312-558-1770

7. Chicago Wilderness
Following is a variety of native plants and shrubs suitable for almost any backyard. Not only will you discover what types of native plants you can add to your yard, you'll also learn what conditions are most suitable for each plant and whether your yard can provide for such conditions. Each plant draws in a number of wildlife, from butterflies and songbirds, to chipmunks, deer and beneficial insects.

Source:
cwwebmaster@anl.gov


8. Chicago Botanic Garden
Will help you to select the perfect plants for your landscape. If you live in Illinois, you've found a fertile resource. Search our database of recommended plants!

Source: 847.835.5440
http://www.chicagobotanic.org/index.html


9. Design Guidelines for Green Roofs
Green roof infrastructure promises to become an increasingly important option for building owners and community planners. As we move into the 21st century, green roofs can address many of the challenges facing urban residents.

Source:
Design Guidelines for Green Roofs
by Steven Peck and Monica Kuhn, B.E.S., B. Arch,O.A.A.


10. Do It Yourself Network
You may need some shade-loving plants even if you don't have a large expanse of yard. Urban gardeners can grow shade plants on balconies and terraces, as long as they're shaded part of the day. Even shade-loving plants need some sunlight in order to flower-but the plants listed below thrive with a minimum of sun.

Source:
http://www.diynetwork.com




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