Edmund C. Snodgrass

With 88 pages of explanatory text, the bulk of this book is dedicated to a Plant Guide which gives general descriptions along with color photos of over 200 species or cultivars. That plant guide does not give more than a cursory list of "North American Natives"--but North America has a wide variety of plant communities so what is "native" in one area may not be in another. To be fair, the text does explain why they have omitted a focus on native plants: a roof garden is not a typical native plant habitat and most of our plant species are not adapted to survive in such a place.
The text chapters address: Benefits & Challenges of Green Roofs, Design and Construction, Vegetation & Plant Selection.
In addition, this book provides a short list of seed & plant nurseries, an extensive bibliography, and an index.
caveat: I have not built a green roof, so cannot comment on the construction chapter.… (more)

Benefits of a green roof include rainwater management, energy conservation, insulation, biodiversity, and waste water treatment. Small Green Roofs: Low-Tech Options For Greener Living demonstrates how green roofs can be included or added to the designs of smaller homes, sheds, garages and buildings. Some consider the roof the “final horticultural frontier.”

The book emphasizes simplicity and utility: “Green roofs are a simple concept. If you can keep the plants and soil on the roof and let the excess water off, you have a green roof.” In addition to the basics of planning and creating a green roof, the book profiles over 40 small and domestic roof projects ranging from home-built to commercially designed and built. Each profile talks about the owner’s concept, experience and satisfaction with their roof as well as pitfalls and problems. The profiles are accompanied by photos of the project.

This is an excellent source for anyone that has an interest in building a structure with a green roof or adding one to an existing building.… (more)