May 15th, Kansas City Library

Another nice and accesible green roof. Like the Heintz's green roof in Pittsburg, it is located in a very dense area at the fifth floor of the library.
People can easily enjoy the downtown view, play giant-check and be relax around the diversified vegetation.

During my survey I noticed many different kind of plants, from the cactus (Opuntia polyacantha), to the Monarda fistulosa in the wet zone. This area was specially design to receive a water feature and to stay humid all the year round. Of course, the plant selection is adapted to this situation.

I really like the contrast creates in this zone.
As you can see on the photo underneath, contrast beetwen the cactus, symbol of dry vegetation and the humid area garden wall.

Technologically this roof is a 4000sf vegetated and can be consider as an intensive one. With 6 to 18 inches of thick (for the trees) , the media is irrigated by capillary irrigation and flood irrigation.
The vegetation around looks very healthly and some flowers are already appear, like Allium Rosenbachianum or Zizia Aurea.
I also notice a difference between the grass in the tree planter (18 inches + flood irrigation) and the ones in the roof (6 inches + capillary).
In the planter the density of grass population was higher. Also grasses in planter were more green. In my opinion the difference is due to the thickness of media. Carex and bouteloua love deeper soil!

In my photos don't be surprize by the grass colour and size. They were just mow few days ago. Also, during spring they will become green and very tall (1 m). During summer, the colour will change to something more yellow, at this time, the difference between the species will be interesting. During Fall, the red and yellow colour will give to the roof a wonderful apearance.

Here, the green roof needs a really good maintenance because of the public. So, the weed pressure is very low.

What about our friends the buds? There were also happy there and I saw my first green-roof butterfly!