Biodiverse guide
This style implies that it will be designed more for wildlife value than for aesthetic appeal, but this does not mean that it has to be unattractive. A clear idea of the level of intervention or maintenance that will be carried out is important. No roof can be left completely to nature, but the ideas below can be employed to suit either a structured or a wild aesthetic.
There are many techniques that can be used in various combinations to make a bio-diverse roof – use any or all of these as appropriate.
Diversity: A variety of plant heights, structures, colours and smells will bring more life to your roof.
Use different depths of substrate across the roof. Shallower areas will become warmer in the sun, deeper areas will stay moist and cool and attract different invertebrates. They will also support a more varied range of plants.
Leave some bare areas of unplanted substrate and see which local species blow in on the wind.
See our plant catalogue for species which are documented to be particularly good for insects and wildlife.
Be aware that the wildlife attracted to your roof may have their own plans; using SkyPlugsand ensuring adequate watering to ensure establishment will help prevent birds coming and pulling up all the freshly planted specimens.
