video of the week

what's new
August 2008

• Check out the call for proposals for green wall research projects from GRHC - deadline extended!

• Ralph has a personal bent in his new Sustainable Roofing Technologies Column.

• Green roof testing & accreditation in the UK - is there a need?

• New DIY Green Roof Guide is available for sale!

• Ask Ed is back talking about bulbs.

• Register NOW for your seat on Green Roof Safari, a 6-day study tour of green roofs in Germany and Switzerland in September!

• Read the new column from George Irwin, the Green Wall Editor, on vertical gardening.

• Bamboo Straws won over Greenroofs on the Sundance Channel's The Green.

• The Green Roof Centre inaugurates its Newsletter.

• SSBx announces new leadership.

• Read about the New York City tax credit for greenroofs.

in the news
upcoming events

Present:  Submit Greenroof/Greenwall Project Profiles to Greenroofs.com's international project database

Present: Green Roofs: A Sustainable Strategy, online course for CEU's

2008: Green Roofs for Healthy Cities Design 101, 201, 301, 401, Green Walls 101 Courses, & Symposia, North America

June 14-September 14: Expo Zaragoza 2008,
Zaragoza, Spain

September 2: Introduction to Green Roofs, Sheffield, England, UK

September 17-18: World Green Roof Congress, London, England

September 25-27: West Coast Green, San Francisco, CA

September 26-27: Boston GreenFest 2008, Boston, MA                                              >>more

news links

Eco fair heralds two green Lakes weeks
NW Evening Mail, by Staff
August 26, 2008

South Lakeland, England. "...On Wednesday (27), there will be a tour of the new interpretation building at Tarn Hows, near Coniston, between 4pm and 5pm, looking at the low water use systems, waste disposal, sophisticated skylights, sedum roof and clever design..."    >>more

Campuses give 'green' that old college try
Philadelphia Inquirer, by Susan Snyder
August 25, 2008

U.S. "A "green" conscience is sweeping the nation's colleges and universities and manifesting itself in virtually every aspect of campus life...thousands in the region return to classes starting today, they'll find "green" roofs being installed on their dorms, receive reusable water bottles, and see corn growing on their quad..."        >>more

Putting down the roots: Grass roofs latest trend in green building
Lawrence Journal World, by Sarah Henning
August 24, 2008

Lawrence, KS and Kansas City, MO. "...soon-to-open drive-through coffee shop at Ninth and Iowa streets is topped with 650 square feet of green grass shooting up from its steeply pitched roof. Scooter’s is just one example of green roofs sprouting up around Lawrence and the surrounding area. Also going green is the weight room at Kansas University’s 80,000-square-foot Anderson Family Football Complex...For the weight room housed under the green roof at the football complex, Corman estimates KU will save $20,000 per year in energy costs because of the cooling effect provided by the green roof’s insulation. And the school will get more out of the investment being able to use the roof space as a tailgating area..."                   >>more

Landscapers are going green
Joliet Herald News, by Cindy Wojdyla Cain
August 24, 2008

Forest Park, IL. "...The company also has expanded into green roofs. "Green roofs are becoming the really cool thing," McAdam said..."It's just amazing what it does," he said. "It's a great opportunity for industry to be ecologically aware and environmentally concerned..."                               >>more

Sky’s the limit
Independent, by Peter York
August 23, 2008

London, England. "...For me, real roof gardens are absolutely rooted in the Ameri-can Century – the 20th. Roof gardens are for showing off, for eating out in, for extra-ordinary light and views. Not really for growing your own organic food or for planting a miniature Sissinghurst. The roof garden impulse is a bit like the underground pool one, the "because I can"..."    >>more

Special feature: Green living
Washington Times, by Michele Lerner
August 22, 2008

Washington, DC. "Pocketbook concerns have merged with environmental interests in recent years, with homeowners and buyers focusing on green building with new enthusiasm...Todd Tibbitts, senior vice president for property services at Post Properties Inc., wrote in an article on green roofs for Units magazine that in 2007, more than 55,000 square feet of new green roofs were installed in the District..."      >>more

Students plant green roof on Seitz Hall
Roanoke Times, by Greg Esposito
August 22, 2008

Blacksburg, VA. "...Her interest in "green roofs," an innovation to combat that problem, landed her on the roof of Seitz Hall on Thursday morning, passing small water-efficient plants called sedums to fellow classmates so they could vegetate a 250-square-foot area...Worthington was one of 20 Tech students and four students and two faculty from Nova Scotia Agricultural College to participate in a weeklong practicum taught by Tech horticulture professor Greg Welbaum..."          >>more

Developers making ‘green’ mark on environment
Inquirer.net, by Tessa Salazar
August 22, 2008

Manila, Philippines. "Environmental experts have noted that property-related developments account for 38 percent—or over one-third—of the total carbon dioxide emissions in the world, making them (along with the transportation and production industries) among the main drivers of global warming and contributors to extreme weather conditions...examples are Senta’s roof utilizing the principles of Green Roofing technology..."                               >>more

California Academy of Sciences Poised to Open New Green Quarters
GreenerBuildings, by Leslie Guevarra
August 22, 2008

San Francisco, CA. "The California Academy of Sciences is poised to publicly unveil its award-winning new facility next month — a move that its leaders hope will literally and figuratively open the doors to new green quarters...The building is crowned by a 2.5-acre living roof. The rolling landscape of colorful native plants and wildflowers sits 35 feet above the ground and mirrors the nearby slopes of San Fran-cisco's Twin Peaks and Mount Davidson. Beneath the roof, a single building houses the academy components that once stretched across 12 structures..."  >>more

Buildings to sport plans on roofs to improve sustainability
The Rice Thresher, by Rachel Carlson
August 22, 2008

Houston, TX. "Students and faculty are accustomed to seeing flora and fauna around campus, but green roofing on four Rice buildings will give landscaping an entirely new dimension...The idea for green roofing was inspired by several models. The University of Texas School of Public Health in the Texas Medical Center...the selection of plant species was recently finalized with input from the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center and various experts in Houston... Johnson credits the progress of this environmental initiative to the efforts of Rice students..."                                  >>more

Insurance Bureau of Canada calls for national action plan on infrastructure
Daily Commercial News, by Vince Versace
August 21, 2008

Canada. "The Insurance Bureau of Canada’s call for a national action plan to upgrade water and sewage infrastructure is further proof increased investment in this area is needed...“With less lawns and generally no green roofs around, water is not going where it naturally wants to go and it gets diverted,” says Zechner..."   >>more

A wake-up call to help save the planet
Wicked Local West Roxbury, by Karen L. Weber
August 20, 2008

Boston, MA. "...As supposed informed people, we remain in denial about human impact on our environment and the climate chaos that is occurring across our globe. In order to help “wake us up” to these reali-ties, as well as ways to start being proac-tive about global warming – far more than changing a light bulb or inflating our tires, a group of people under the guiding force of the Foundation for a Green Future, Inc., decided to organize Boston GreenFest 2008 at City Hall Plaza on Friday and Sat-urday, Sept. 26-27. The premise of this festival is based on the need to bring every-one from across our neighborhoods to City Hall Plaza to work together to solve the global warming problem. And we can begin in so many ways – doing neighborhood projects including rainwater recovery, orga-nic raised bed gardens, green roofs, beekeeping, solar and wind..."       >>more

The Grounded Gardener: Low-impact guidelines you can use
Seattle Post Intelligencer, by Marty Wingate
August 20, 2008

Seattle, WA. "The push is on for low-impact buildings and landscapes -- construction that reduces the air and water pollution in our region...From the Hanging Gardens of Babylon to hobbit holes to sod houses on the prairies, green roofs have kept dwellings cool in the summer and warm in the winter while providing forage for any available livestock..."              >>more

Blue Covenant The Alternative Water Future
Monthly Review, by Maude Barlow
August 20, 2008

The World. "...Three basic laws of nature must be addressed. First, it is necessary to create the conditions that allow rainwater to remain in local watersheds. This means restoring the natural spaces where rain-water can fall and where water can flow. Water retention can be carried out at all levels: roof gardens in family homes and office buildings; urban planning that allows rainwater to be captured and returned to the earth; water harvesting in food..."   >>more

How green is your roof?
Nature.com, by Katrina Charles
August 19, 2008

The World. "Many 'green roof' schemes, which aim to make buildings more eco-friendly by turning rooftops into gardens, are failing because of a lack of basic research on their efficient installation and mainten-ance...an unpublished report from Green City Zurich, the city department responsible for planning and maintenance of public parks, which found that more than 50% of green roofs in Zurich have less than 5 centimetres of the soil substitute that binds the vegetation to the roof — insufficient to support most plants...Zurich recently introduced a minimum substrate depth of 10 centimetres for new roofs to counter the problem described by Brenneisen. But a recent study has highlighted the fact that even with the same substrate depth, not all green roofs are created equal...Scientists at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at the University of Texas, Austin...According to livingroofs.org, a non-profit advisory group supported by the UK's London Development Agency, over 30 million square metres of green roofs have been installed in Germany since 2000..."                               >>more

These Days, Plants in Lobbies Are Seen as Clutter
New York Times, by C. J. Hughes
August 19, 2008

New York, NY. "......While more buildings are planting their roofs with grass, trees or shrubs, the interior landscaping industry finds itself in a difficult place, professionals say...the council does encourage planted roofs, and landscapers are responding, said Teresa Carleo...on the 7,000-square-foot roof at 250 Hudson Street, a former printing plant in Hudson Square being converted to offices by Jack Resnick & Sons, Ms. Carleo will install crab apple trees and prairie grasses in stark contrast to the lobby...Residential roofs are being similarly dressed up...An example is the Caledonia, a Related Companies complex on West 17th Street where Mr. Freilich recently planted three roof gardens that totaled 20,000 square feet and included 100 trees and 1,000 cubic yards of soil..."     >>more

FOXe Report: Green Roofs
MyFox Austin, by Staff
August 19, 2008

Austin, TX. "..."We found most of the green roofs are very good at cleaning water," Simmons said. "They filter out a lot of the air pollutants, a lot of the particulate matter. But in terms of how much water they actually retain, storm water, it was real variable. Some of the roofs didn't really perform at all. In fact, they were the same as having, say, a conventional black roof."..."                                       >>more

Structures so green they give back to the environment
Plenty Magazine, by Lisa Selin Davis
August 19, 2008

The World. "Forget simply cutting a building's footprint. A new wave or architectural thinkers wants to create buildings that help regenerate the planet like living organisms...Suddenly our images of green homes transformed from yurts or cob-earth hippie hideouts to glass skyscrapers with wind turbines humming away on living roofs...Tomorrow’s green buildings will benefit from advanced structure codes, policy, and technology, but they’ll also have Earthship-like living walls of greenery inside that clean air and filter water..."                                >>more

A “Gold” for China: Olympic Village Receives LEED Award
Inhabitat, by Olivia Chen
August 18, 2008

Beijing, China. "Amidst the exciting of athletic accomplishments at this year’s summer Olympics, a significant achievement for sustainable design was recognized as well. Last week, on Wednesday, August 13, U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson presented Chinese officials with a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold award for the 2008 Olympic village. The world-class development boasts a variety of sustainable features including solar panels, green roofs, and an extensive rainwater recycling system..."        >>more

Insurance Coverage Slow to Develop for Green Projects
Occupational Health Safety, by Staff
August 18, 2008

U.S. "Green building projects are hot across the United States, but many insurance companies are "remaining on the sidelines as they work to determine the extent and types of exposures that might evolve from these new projects," insurance broker and risk advisor Marsh Inc. recently reported..."Despite concerns about green roofs and the potential for water damage and structural problems, many property underwriters are beginning to recognize the potential benefits of green buildings," Pavloff said..."                                        >>more

Bringing 'Green Collar' Jobs to the South Bronx
Gotham Gazette, by Melissa Checker
August, 2008

Bronx, NY. "Living in a neighborhood plagued by pollution and poverty, South Bronx residents would like to see more green in their midst – namely, trees, open space and money...SSBx is working to boost PlaNYC2030's sustainability. On June 24, 2008, the state legislature agreed to provide tax credits to offset $4.50 a square foot, approximately 25 percent of the cost of installing a green roof...Not coincidentally, more green roofs in New York City also mean more jobs for B.E.S.T. graduates..."                                >>more

RiverHeath: Residences Built on Clean Energy
WBAY, by Staff
August 18, 2008

Green Bay, WI. "RiverHeath opens in Summer 2009 offering 60 units along the Fox River just below the College Avenue Bridge. A rich legacy of Appleton's industrial past is the world's first hydro-electric facility... and RiverHeath promises to carry on this legacy of clean, sustainable energy for the residences, offices, and shops on site. Clean power....green roofs...community gardens..."        >>more

RISD prof's work to be shown in Denver during DNC
Boston Globe, by Eric Tucker
August 16, 2008

Denver, CO. "When Democrats convene in Denver for their national political convention later this month, Charlie Cannon will have a prime platform to discuss a favorite topic: the environment...Other displays focus on the use of "green roofs" in the South Bronx..."                                      >>more

PGMS Announces 2008 GIE+EXPO Faculty, Curriculum
Lawn & Landscape, by Staff
August 15, 2008

U.S. "In an effort to help the green industry meet the surging demand for sustainable grounds maintenance practices, the Profes-sional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) has announced its faculty and curriculum for the 2008 School of Grounds Management...courses will cover the following topics related to green practices: sustainable maintenance of perennials and shrubs, using LEED guidelines to manage landscapes, managing green roofs, pre-serving trees and the latest information from the Sustainable Sites Initiative..."   >>more

Roof taking root on UIS building
The State Journal-Register, by Chris Dettro
August 15, 2008

Springfield, IL. "When 132 freshmen move into their new residence hall at the Univer-sity of Illinois at Springfield next week, they’ll find new beds, new desks, construc-tion workers and a whole lot of vegetation just outside their windows. Workers this week were installing an environmentally friendly, energy-saving “green” roof on all three levels of Founders Hall, the new $16.8 million on-campus living..."            >>more

Food garden blooms on skid row wall
Los Angeles Times, by Cara Mia DiMassa
August 14, 2008

Los Angeles, CA. "...The 34-foot-long vertical plot, which looks like a swath of green carpet against the cinder blocks, is filled with strawberries, tomatoes, basil and other herbs and vegetables. It's a step up for the dozen or so members of the gar-dening group at the Rainbow Apartments, all formerly homeless...As Owens and two other men struggled under the weight of planting grids filled with cucumbers, tomatillos and lavender, George Irwin, the president of Green Living Technologies, whose company manufactured and donated the system of planting grids, watched with a careful eye..."                            >>more

features

August 24, 2008
greenroof project of the week

Where in the Greenroof World?
The Greenroof Projects Database!

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The "Ask Ed"
Q & A Plant Column

Bulbs on roofs?
By Ed Snodgrass
All Photos Courtesy Ask Ed unless noted

As we all sweat through the dog days of summer, we should all remember that fall will be approaching sooner than we think and those beads of sweat will be giving way to cool nights and frost.

Scilla and Sedum album both breaking dormancy.

Fall is the time to plant bulbs and green roofs have been largely left out of the bulb discussion.  Are bulbs part of a green roof planting plan?  Can bulbs work on thin system green roofs?  Knowing that many of our modern Tulips came from the Anatolian region of Turkey, known for its hot dry summers, I thought species Tulips may have a chance on a green roof...   >>more

The main test greenroof at Emory Knoll Farms; Photo by Linda Velazquez.

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The Green Walls Column
How Does Your Garden Grow?......Vertical!

By George Irwin
All Photos Courtesy George Irwin unless otherwise noted

Irwin Family hanging vegetable crops.

The early Spring is normally our busy show season and between the Go Green Expo NYC and GRSC in Baltimore, it is great to be back home.  Beside the busy spring show season it is also time to garden! Personally, my gardens have become my time to relax, and even better an opportunity to involve my family.  The kids help plant and my wife makes jam and pickles from what we harvest.

Since 3,000 BC families produced crops for their own consumption and some marginal barter. In 1840, 69% of the labor force was farming, in 1930 it was 21% and in 1990 only 2.6% of the labor force is farming (www.agclassroom.org/gan/timeline/-index.htm).  There has been an obvious decline in farming in North America since the 1800’s.  Before we talk about green walls I want to review some key points in history about American agriculture.

From 1939 to 1945 the world was at war, and Americans were asked to divert materials and efforts to the war effort.  At the time this was a call for self-reliance, recycling, and conservation of raw materials.  Sounds like another definition of Sustainability … Compare the circa 2008 vs. the 1940 definition of self-reliance, amazing how history repeats itself.  The public was encouraged to plant “Victory Gardens” in all shapes and sizes.  “Nearly 20 million Americans answered the call.  They planted gardens in backyards, empty lots...         >>more

Planting a Victory Garden for the cause was patriotic and sustainable.

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guest feature article

Penstemons for Green Roofs in the Midwest
By Brent Horvath, Nursery President and Grower
Graphics Courtesy Brent Horvath

At Intrinsic Perennial Gardens (IPG), located in Hebron, Illinois, we list about 900 different perennials for sale to the landscape and retail market in the Chicagoland area, including Milwaukee and Madison.  Over the last six years, greenroof plant sales have become an increasing part of our business.  While sedums are still the primary plants used on many green roofs, there are a great many penstemons that may work.

As you probably know, there are two main types of green roofs, extensive and intensive.  Extensive represents 3 to 5 inches of soil, where intensive represents 6 or more inches.  For this article I’m concentrating on an extensive greenroof trial situation, since the plants mentioned can be expected to do well in deeper soil.

Of course, there are many other variables when considering a green roof, including soil type and depth, average yearly rainfall/precipitation or irrigation, and hardiness zones.  The primary greenroof soil used in the Midwest is a baked clay product blended with peat and perlite; there are other mixes but this is the most commonly used in the area.  In northern Illinois our average yearly rainfall is 30-35 inches.  The majority of our green roofs here are in USDA Hardiness Zone 5...

Penstemon hirsutus

                                         >>more

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