Roofs & Rambles

We planted the Muscari bulbs on the green roof at Evershed’s three years ago. The bulbs were part of a scheme to increase the biodiversity potential of the basic sedum blanket green roof  that lies in the eastern shadow of St. Paul’s.

Although they are not a native species they serve two purposes: aesthetics and biodiversity. Whilst the majority of the roof is slowly turning to moss as many sedum blankets do the muscari give a flash blue early in spring to delight the eye. We also know that early rising bees will use bulbs such as Muscari as a nectar source. This is important in early spring but this year particularly so as the cold grip of winter is lingering well in to late march and bees are very vulnerable to the cold. Bumblebees  need instant high calorie food to sustain them and ensure they slip through the cold hands of the weather.

There are 9 clumps of Grape hyacinth on the roof planted into the small mounds we created to add diversity. On this mound the green stalks of Chives  Allium schoenprasum can be seen readying themselves to flower later in May. I counted at least 10 species of herbs waiting for the sun and warmth of late and early summer, when they will play host to a range of invertebrates and bugs the simple sedum roof would not be able to do.