Plants for green roofs with soil depth 150mm

Be inspired by our pick of plants for your green roof with a soil depth of 150mm, below.

Astrantia 'Roma'

This plant is one of the shorter varieties, so it will cope better with dry, windswept conditions. Because 'Roma' is a sterile hybrid, the flowers of this plant last well. To boost the plant's vigour, apply a generous mulch. Flowers May to September.

Great burnet

Sanguisorba officinalis is used to control soil erosion because of its extensive root system. These plants have been known to flower better on a roof than anywhere else in a garden!

Aquilegias

If there are any growing in the vicinity, aquilegias and their close relatives semiaquilegias are bound to seed themselves into your green roof. They'll make little colonies in a wide array of colours. This plant flowers from May to July.

Stipa tenuissima

Surely the waftiest, fluffiest grass. Movement is a vital component in any garden and is heightened (so to speak) on a roof. This Mexican grass finds life at high levels perfectly to its liking and should self-seed readily. Flowers July to September.

Viola cornuta

Although this viola is often grown in a shadier site, the extra sunshine it can enjoy on a roof may change the flower-to-leaf ratio in favour of the flowers. This plant forms gently spread mats and flowers from May to September.

Kate Bradbury says

Make sure you provide additional support to take the extra weight of your roof. Adding thick wooden posts to the four corners of your shed will increase its capacity to hold soil, while using lightweight compost can help reduce the strain.