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<table class="sortable"> | <table class="sortable"> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
− | <th | + | <th>Planting method</th> |
− | <th | + | <th>Description</th> |
− | <th | + | <th>Survival rate</th> |
− | <th | + | <th>Installation labor</th> |
− | <th | + | <th>Maintenance requirements</th> |
− | <th | + | <th>Expense</th> |
− | <th | + | <th>Establishment time</th> |
− | <th | + | <th>other pros, cons, notes</th> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> | ||
− | <td width=" | + | <td width="10%">Plugs</td> |
− | <td width=" | + | <td width="10%">Plants in small pots</td> |
− | <td width=" | + | <td width="10%">High</td> |
− | <td width=" | + | <td width="10%">Medium</td> |
− | <td width=" | + | <td width="10%">Low</td> |
− | <td width=" | + | <td width="10%">Low-medium</td> |
− | <td width=" | + | <td width="10%">Quick, 1-2 years depending on species, plug size, and initial planting density</td> |
− | <td width=" | + | <td width="30%">Allows for most flexible and controlled planting design; can be added to green roofs started from cuttings or to pre-grown mats to increase species diversity</td> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr> | <tr> |
Comparison of most common extensive green roof planting methods
Link to this table
Planting method | Description | Survival rate | Installation labor | Maintenance requirements | Expense | Establishment time | other pros, cons, notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Plugs | Plants in small pots | High | Medium | Low | Low-medium | Quick, 1-2 years depending on species, plug size, and initial planting density | Allows for most flexible and controlled planting design; can be added to green roofs started from cuttings or to pre-grown mats to increase species diversity |
Cuttings | Small pieces of sedums that are spread across or mixed into growing medium | Good | Low | Low | Low - More than plugs, less than seed | Quick, 1-2 years | Less control over final look than with plugs |
Seed | Seed | Good | Lowest | Higher | Lowest - Less than plugs or cuttings | Longer than plugs or cuttings – typically 2-5 years depending on species | Less control over final look than with plugs; seed cannot be allowed to dry out until germinated; more bare soil can result in higher weed pressure; need more erosion protection during establishment since soil is bare; only a limited number of species can germinate from seed on a green roof |
Pregrown Mats | Plants delivered to the site pre-grown into an erosion control mat with growing medium | Good | Low | Low | Low-Medium | Almost instant green | Instant erosion protection if fully vegetated; precise plant composition difficult to predict; less control over final look; less species diversity possible than with plugs, can be combined with plugs to increase species diversity |
Modular Systems | Plastic, metal, or degradable trays filled with growing medium and delivered to site pre-grown | Good initially | Low | High | High | Almost instant green | Allow for greater precision of design, some may require frequent plant replacement due to edge effect; some trays may retain heat and cause soil to dry out faster, negatively affecting plant health |