If you want to green your roof terrace, you should first find out exactly which plants are suitable and what you want to achieve with the plants. Should they act as a privacy screen, bloom fragrantly or climb the walls? Find out below which plants feel comfortable on the roof terrace, what location they need and whether they are hardy.
Which plants are suitable for a roof terrace?
Winter-hardy trees such as yew, barberry or thuja, flowering perennials and flowers, decorative grasses such as fox-red sedge or riding grass, climbing plants such as ivy or honeysuckle as well as herbs and vegetables such as rosemary or lavender are suitable for a green roof terrace.
Woods
Woods are usually quite easy to care for and can often be cut as desired. They are also robust and can withstand both sun and rain and are often even hardy. Here is a selection of the most beautiful trees for the roof terrace:
| Name | Botanical name | Location | Evergreen | hardy | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yew | Taxus baccata | Sunny to shady | Yes | Yes | Poisonous! |
| Barberry | Berberis vulgaris | Sunny to partially shaded | No | Yes | Poisonous! |
| Thuja | Thuja | Sunny to partially shaded | Yes | Yes | |
| Common Beech | Fagus sylvatica | Partial shade | No | Yes |
Blooming perennials and flowers
Nobody wants to go without flowers. Perennials and flowers take a little more work, but it's worth it! From spring to autumn, your roof terrace will shine in bright colors if you plan it right. Find out below which flowering plants thrive on the roof terrace, what demands they have on their location and when they bloom. Combine cleverly or swap plants depending on the season to enjoy flowers all year round. All balcony and garden plants that tolerate sun well are suitable for the roof terrace.
Grasses
Grasses are not only very decorative and often easy to care for, they can also act as a beautiful, natural privacy screen. Remember, if you want grass to grow tall, it needs enough space for its roots. Choose larger pots than for taller grasses. Below we will tell you which grasses grow how high.
| Name | Botanical name | Growth height | Location | hardy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fox Red Sedge | Carex buchananii | Up to 50cm | Sunny | Yes |
| Riding grass | Calamagrostis acutiflora | 1, 50m | Sunny | Yes |
| Hedge Bamboo | Fargesia robusta | Multiple meters | Sunny | Yes |
Roof terrace planting with climbing plants
Climbing plants decorate bare walls and, with the help of climbing aids, become a beautiful green privacy screen. But be careful! Some climbing plants cling to the wall so tightly that they can damage it. Such climbing plants should only be planted on trellises. Find out what these are below.
| Name | Botanical name | Causes wall damage | Evergreen | hardy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ivy | Hedera helix | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Wild Wine | Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris | Yes | No | Mostly yes |
| Evergreen Honeysuckle | Lonicera henryi | No | Yes | Yes |
| Climbing hydrangea | Hydrangea petiolaris | Yes | Most varieties not | Yes |
| Black-Eyed Susan | Thunbergia alata | No | No | No, annual |
Herbs and vegetables for roof terrace planting
Growing edible plants on the roof terrace is also conceivable. Mediterranean herbs in particular, such as rosemary or lavender, thrive easily in the sun. When growing vegetables, you should provide sun protection and choose sufficiently large planters. A raised bed would be conceivable.
