Additional information
Typical flowering season
April – November (note wet mild Winters can encourage moss encroachment, causing bare areas and slowing start of flowering season)
Recommended maintenance regime
Minimum once per year in late July/August (before you’ll want to!), with a recommended second aggressive cut either Autumn or in exceptional circumstances late Winter (February)
Biodiversity contribution
Good (Excellent if good green roof management practices are followed)
Advantages
Excellent food source for pollinators when in flower. Clump forming plants provide excellent shelter and overwintering for invertebrates. Taller plants eliminate visual distruption from invasives. Expect these plants to brown off from mid-summer: our maintenance partners www.greenroofrevival.com can bring down beautiful sprays of dried wildflower stems for you to use in long-lasting floral arrangements. No need to feed. Plants survive in root zone, drought tolerant within reason. Planting mix can be tailored to include specialists for eg shady spots, exposed coastal locations etc
Drawbacks
Not recommended for roofs which are overlooked. Moss encroachment and bare areas are common. May need regular seeding. More reliant on irrigation than deeper meadow specifications. Download our ‘Honesty Box’ below for a candid summary of what to expect when growing native wildflowers on your roof in the UK’s increasingly extreme/extended weather patterns.
Download the PDF HAYBASE SPEC HONESTY BOX
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