The roof of a new building designed as a centre for start-up companies in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, will not only be a ‘green roof’ of 8,000 plants of 48 species, but also will be used as a garden for its residents.

The upper roof of Moorgate Crofts Business Centre will be covered with a pre-planted sedum mat, but the lower area will include mixtures of species from grasses such as Stipa tenuissima through to perennials, shrubs and native wild flowers including harebells and cowslips. The project has drawn on research by Nigel Dunnett of Sheffield University, who has also helped with plant selection.

The majority of the planting took place this May and it is hoped that within a year 60 percent of the 420sq m (4,500sq ft) area will be covered with thriving plants. A selection of bulbs will be planted this autumn.

The Royal Horticultural Society
80 Vincent Square
London
SW1P 2PE
Telephone 020 7834 4333
info@rhs.org.uk