Spoke to an Inner Circle Member today and she was asking about a Roof Garden potential job.  We discussed container choices and she mentioned that while she depends heavily on Subirrigated planters from Planter Technology for her interior jobs, she was not going to use them for this project because "they will flood when the rain comes down."  My suggestion was to call Planter Tech and get more information.  They market a whole line of containers especially mean’t to be used outside so this may not be a concern. 

Our conversation brings to mind a whole raft of questions about the where and how different containers can be used.  Bottom line?  Do your homework.  Call the manufacturer and ask if your application will work.  They have years of experience and should know the hows and whys. Exploring whether your idea might work, or not, will let your creative juices flow.  Go for it.

Another thought came up as a resultof our conversation.  Do you know the difference between a Green Roof and a Roof Garden?  Just to review, a Green Roof is mean’t to meet certain energy reduction criteria and is not mean’t to be a "people place" per se.  The vegetation used usually consists of sedges and alpines, small 6" tall material mean’t to provide humidity, transpiration, lower the energy and rainwater spillage.  Eighty percent of the Green Roofs in the US are made up of this type planting and it is called an "extensive" green roof.  Think of it as a burr haircut.  The other Green Roof type is the "intensive" variety and it features larger plant material.  Both  extensive and intensive require feet of soil and drainage material and the weight is often prohibitive for existing buildings.  Think of the Intensive green roof as a"Marie Antoinette coiffure" as opposed to the burr haircut of the extensive variety.  Knowing which is which and the terminology will put you in good stead with designers and architects and the like.  To learn more, look up Green Roofs on the web, but get ready, there is a ton of info out there as this is a hot topic in the Green Design World.

 On the other hand, the Roof Garden is a totally different animal.  It may consist of beds with walkways, surround a swinning pool or cabana area, or be a restaurant or meeting area.  Here plants may be containerized with blooming interspersed.  Think visually pleasing and people welcoming.  Think Kodak moments.  Roof Gardens truly take the inside…..out.  Here I would definitely look at containers and plants that fit with a style of architecture or theme and I would definitely check out the Subiirigation lines.

So now you know the basic differences between Green Roofs and Roof Gardens.

  Go get ‘em Tiger.