Excursion to the Free Library roof top

In order to gain a better understanding of green roof installment and plant selection, the team went on a trip to the Free Library of Philadelphia where a semi-intensive green roof was installed in 2008. According to the library website, the garden contains more than 5,400 plants. Sedums include Murale White Stonecrop, Blue Cadet Creeping Sedum, and Blue Spruce Stonecrop along with grasses such as Blue Grama, Feather Reed Grass, Blue Fescue, and Prairie Dropseed. This green roof was the first green roof on a government-owned building in the city of Philadelphia and has a beautiful view of central Philadelphia from the terrace (Figure 1). 

Figure 1

The team was able observe the garden and its drainage system closely(Figure 2). We also talked to the library officials and hope to develop further contact with the lead designer of this garden to gain more insights. 

Figure 2