Consider irrigation of intensive green roof systems early none of the above removes the requirement for good sound horticultural practice such as weeding seasonal mulching thinning out the plantings appropriate feeding or installing the plants at a size that enables them to slowly acclimatise to their new environment.
Intensive green roof trees.
Components of an intensive green roof click for high res version intensive.
From a distance an extensive sedum roof can be mistaken for a grass field.
These roofs will have grasses ground covers flowers shrubs and even trees.
Intensive green roofs are widely used on commercial buildings where owners want to have large green areas that incorporate all sizes and types of plants.
Rooftop trees are a special category of deep intensive systems.
The top layer can be installed directly on top of the base layer without using a separation fabric similar to natural soil profiles with different horizons that have specific properties.
With a total depth of 20 inches up to several feet they require two different types of media to provide the right mix of aeration and organic matter for the deeper root zone which this rooflite soil system provides.
These are covered with low growing plants such as evergreen sedums.
Intensive green roofs are not only found on buildings but also over underground constructions such as car parks.
Intensive green roofs require the deepest soil and have the greatest impact on the structural design but they also accommodate all types of plantings including large shrubs and trees.
Besides the visual impact of an extensive green roof they also provide a natural habitat for birds and insects.
Intensive systems allow the designer to create a park like setting so they are the best option for roof gardens that will be occupied.