Bees and wildflowers are what make us tick at green roof training. Although this video is not filmed on a small scale green roof, it does show the kind of wildflowers that flourish. These species are classics and should be considered in any planting scheme.
The roof in question is a large extensive green roof in the shadow of the Shard near London Bridge.
Bees + Wildflowers 1 – Hare’s foot Clover
This is one of Dusty’s favourite wildflowers. Pinkish grey, it’s a plant of coasts and brown fields. Though diminutive, it forms lovely clumps and also carpets across a green roof. When it turns to seed, it retains its texture and appearance.
Hare’s foot clover is a difficult plant to purchase either in as a plug or seed. Dusty originally collected the seeds of this plant from a brownfield site near Trinity Buoy wharf, London back in 2004. The seeds were cast on the Laban and have been spread on countless other roofs in London. Greenrooftraining members can get some by contacting us. However it is a great one to collect responsible.
Bees and Wildflowers – Hare’s foot clover
Dusty has seen it on roofs in the US. He was once with Ed Snodgrass on the ASLA green roof in Washington DC where there was a whole bunch of them. However in US they are not native plants and are considered invasive. The plant is referred to as rabbit-foot clover in North America.
Even though the plant has small flowers they do attract pollinators, especially bumblebees and honey bees. Butterflies, including Common blue and small copper often visit the flowers.
Bees + Wildflowers 2 – Viper’s Bugloss
Bumblebee on Blue Beauty
Tall and an array of blue bugles Viper’s bugloss is pollinator central. This is definitely one to plant and seed. We recommend getting it from a Flora Locale registered native supplier. There are plants on the market of European stock. These tend not be ‘prickly’.
When they turn, the tall stems and flowers go a frosty grey.
A native of stony and grasslands, it can be found on very dry stony brown fields in urban areas.
Native wildflowers on green roofs
Theses are only two of the native wildflowers in the video – there is also Kidney vetch, wild carrot, lady’s bedstraw, yarrow and bird’s foot trefoil. All excellent plants that feature in wildflower list within the guide.
So, although there is still a little bit of a myth that only sedums = a green roof, wildflowers do flourish on green roofs so you can go native.
