Native plant mixtures for Atlantic Canada green roofs: compatibility with sedums, propagation techniques and soil design

Abstract

In Atlantic Canada, there has been a significant amount of research on green roofs including ecosystem services and native plant selection. This project examines a few remaining gaps in the research: lack of locally available growth media, the feasibility of combining native plants with Sedum in the same system, and optimal propagation techniques for native species. Plant growth and performance of ecosystem functions were examined with the combinations in a replicated modular green roof system. The most beneficial treatment was a mixture of native plants/Sedums planted as plugs in the commercially available growth medium. Moreover, plug planting was the most effective way to quickly establish plant canopy density in this green roof system. This project is expected to facilitate the use of native plants on green roofs to diversify the plant selection available while also outlining the most effective techniques and growth media at a cheaper cost.