Roofs & Rambles

We put our first bulbs on green roofs, brown roofs and living roofs this year. The bulbs were Muscari and Croci species. Dr. Kadas planted them on the brown roof and green roof at Roots and Shoots, on small-scale green roof shed and the living roof at Justin Bere’s.

We knew they would provide a good early spring nectar source for bees and give some splendid colour. We weren’t to know they provide another facinating ecological purpose for bees, mining bees in particular of Andrena family.

Observations on the roofs showed that a number of bees were using the colourful flower heads as beacons to guide them back to the nests they slowly excavating.

Later in the year we noticed a White tailed bumblebee excavating a nest in the rubble substrate at the Laban.

Proof that substrate and small micro changes at roof level can make a significant difference at the micro habitat level of living, green or brown roofs.

Design well and all manner of things will be happening, which most of us will miss. Spend and hour a green roof and watch what is happening. It’ll open your eyes to the world beyond instant green green roofs.