If you want to green your roof, you may want to plant grasses. Grass sways in the wind, making the green roof appear even more lively. However, grasses cannot easily be planted on a green roof. Find out below what requirements must be met and which grasses are suitable for green roofs.
Which grasses are suitable for green roofs?
Grasses such as schiller grass, blue fescue, red sedge, blue-green sedge, quaking grass, rainbow fescue, alpine bluegrass, sheep's fescue, eyelash pearl grass and tufted hair grass are suitable for green roofs. The height of the vegetation should be at least 6 cm to provide enough space for roots and growth.
The thickness of a green roof
Green roofs have different heights. Very low green roofs start at 6cm (so-called extensive green roofs), very strong green roofs can reach up to one meter (so-called intensive green roofs). The stronger the green roof, the heavier it is. Very strong green roofs can weigh up to 1000kg per square meter when wet. Therefore, this type of green roof is not suitable for every roof. On very low and therefore lighter green roofs, the choice of plants is significantly smaller; on very thick green roofs, trees can even be planted. Here is a brief overview:
| Height of the green roof | Plant selection |
|---|---|
| Up to 6cm | Mosses, thick-leaf plants |
| 7 – 15cm | Herbs and low meadow plants and grasses |
| 15 – 25cm | Taller grasses and flowering plants |
From a height of 25cm we speak of intensive green roofs. Grasses do not require intensive greening, but they do require a high level of extensive greening.
Which grasses are suitable for green roofs?
When selecting grasses for your green roof, you should consider the following:
- Choose grasses that tolerate a lot of sun.
- Choose at least a few grasses that are wintergreen so that you have a green roof even in winter.
- Choose easy-care grasses.
- If you have a green roof with a height of less than 15cm, choose only low-growing grasses such as schiller grass, if possible, from a height of 15cm you can also plant taller grasses such as tufted hair grass.
| Name | Growth height | Flowering time | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Fescue | Up to 30cm | June/July | Blue stalks |
| Red sedge | Up to 50cm | Summer | Red-brown leaves |
| Blue-green sedge | 20 to 80cm | April to June | wintergreen |
| Quickgrass | Up to 30cm | May to June | Loose flaky look |
| Schillergrass | Low | June to July | Grows in a spherical shape |
| Rainbow Fescue | Up to 45cm | June to July | Wintergreen |
| Alpine bluegrass | 15 to 30cm | June to August | |
| Real Sheep Fescue | 5 to 60cm | May to July | |
| Eyelash Pearl Grass | 30 to 60cm | Summer | Summer green |
| Tufted Hairgrass | Up to 70cm | June to August | Tolerates high drought |
Tip
Do not order your grasses online, but seek advice from specialist retailers. This way you can be sure that the grasses are suitable for your green roof and will thrive.