Garden Design: Plant Configuration Issues When selecting plant species for a rooftop garden, it's important to choose flowers, shrubs, small trees, bulbs, and perennials that have an attractive shape, short stature, shallow root systems, and strong wind resistance. Perennial woody plants can have deep roots that may penetrate the waterproof layer, so the choice of plants should be based on the depth of the soil cover. If the soil is 100 cm thick, you can plant small trees; with 70 cm, shrubs are suitable; if the soil is only 50 cm, low shrubs like roses, peonies, wisteria, oleander, and small pomegranates work well. For 30 cm of soil, annual herbaceous plants such as grasses, herbs, and vegetables are ideal. Garden Design: Structural Roof Load At the time of designing a rooftop garden, the roof structure is usually already in place. It’s crucial to know how much weight the structure can support, as exceeding the design load could compromise the building’s integrity. This is a major concern in roof garden design. Therefore, it's essential to consider the weight of all elements—such as planting soil thickness, tree size, and any additional structures—to ensure safety and stability. Garden Design: Waterproofing and Drainage Roofs are typically sloped to allow rainwater to drain through the surface into gutters. A waterproof layer is usually installed. However, without proper drainage planning in a rooftop garden, water can accumulate, leading to damage to the waterproof layer, root rot, leaks, and even drowning of plants. To prevent this, organized drainage systems should be integrated into the design. A specialized drainage board is placed between the roof and the planting soil. These boards allow free drainage while retaining some moisture for the plants. The typical layering from bottom to top includes: roof structure, waterproof membrane, non-woven fabric, 5–10 cm of coarse sand, suitable light soil, and finally the rooftop plants. In practice, these drainage boards have proven effective and are widely used in real projects. Garden Design: Preventing Root Puncture If no root barriers are used, plant roots can damage the roof structure. Even on roofs with just a waterproof layer or a protective layer, seeds carried by the wind can take root and grow, potentially penetrating the waterproof or structural layers. This not only ruins the waterproofing but also risks serious structural damage. Some invasive plants may outcompete native species, making the problem worse. Grasses, in particular, have strong root systems that can cause significant harm. Therefore, it's vital to install root barriers when designing a rooftop garden. Ignoring this step can lead to costly repairs and safety issues. Garden Design: Wind Resistance Roof gardens often include structures for aesthetic or functional purposes, such as pavilions or sculptures. However, these structures must be carefully designed due to the unique challenges of rooftops. The roof has limited space, and deep foundations are not feasible. At the same time, the structure needs to be stable against strong winds. This creates a conflict between strength and practicality. The solution is to use a reinforced base or foundation amplification system, which provides stability without damaging the waterproof layer. In addition to the technical aspects of garden design, attention should also be given to decorative elements. A well-designed garden not only looks good but also functions effectively. By combining aesthetics with functionality, you can create a beautiful and safe rooftop space. I hope this information helps you in your next project. With careful planning and attention to detail, your rooftop garden can thrive and bring joy for years to come. Refrigerated Centrifuge is divided into low speed, high speed refrigerated centrifuge, as well as overspeed analysis, preparation of dual-use refrigerated centrifuge and other models. Refrigerated Centrifuge,High speed refrigerated centrifuge,Low speed refrigerated centrifuge Zenith Lab (Jiangsu) Co.,Ltd , https://www.zenithlabo.com
Roof garden decoration design considerations