How Skyscrapers Are Going Green with Rooftop Gardens, Pollinator Habitats, and Vertical Landscapes
Why is there such an increased interest in high-rise landscaping? We believe it’s because of the countless creative landscaping solutions that have come on the scene to help solve the problem of limited green spaces in urban areas. “Concrete jungles” are quickly becoming a thing of the past as these urban spaces can now more easily be transformed into relaxing gardens, just a little closer to the clouds from the city streets.
This landscaping trend is also being driven by a continuing desire for more sustainable spaces in our cities. Additionally, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certifications are powerful motivation, providing benefits and financial incentives to property owners for investing in sustainable designs. Lastly, health and well-being are on the minds of tenants, and well-kept green spaces are a proven cure for the downsides of an unnatural environment.
High-rise landscaping limitations are quickly being erased. Curb appeal is going up, literally. It’s about more than beautiful green spaces, though. Rooftop landscapes should also be functional. And it’s easy to get started on a small scale when you know the perfect plant choices. Let’s talk about those, as we highlight five innovative cities maximizing high-rise green spaces.
Green Roofs Are Turning Office Tops Into Urban Oases
Green roofs, also known as living roofs, are rooftop spaces enhanced by greenery and other landscape elements. They are installed using waterproofing and drainage systems. Not only do they add visual appeal to high-rises, but building owners get these additional upsides:
- Energy savings
- Tenant relaxation
- Stormwater retention
- Human connection opportunities
- Advance sustainability initiatives
By soaking up excess rainwater, green roofs reduce runoff by up to 80% (BKV Energy) compared to traditional commercial building rooftops. Air quality also improves, along with tenant well-being, which is more good news.
What kind of specialty plants work best for achieving those results?
Blue grama and side-oats grama are often ideal. You can’t argue with the impact of pollinator-friendly wildflowers such as silky aster and purple prairie clover, either. Perennials and groundcovers work wonders too (just remember to choose drought-tolerant species when possible).
Are certain cities leading the way with green roofs? If you guessed New York City, then you’re correct. Besides the Big Apple, the following cities are setting great examples with rooftop landscaping:
Some municipalities offer terrific incentives for property owners who invest in green roofs. That’s good news for butterflies and biodiversity.
Check out this Yellowstone Landscape case study showcasing stunning landscaping on a rooftop in New York for some ideas about what can be possible for your space.
Pollinator Gardens Support BioDiversity in the Sky
Pollinators are a big deal. Bees, butterflies, and many birds are vital to the planet. They have a hugely positive effect on the food we humans have available to us. Roughly a third of our meals are available because of the natural “work” pollinators do. The attractiveness of this high-rise landscaping trend is really just an bonus of the necessary work these spaces perform.
Are there challenges to growing and maintaining pollinator gardens on top of tall buildings and skyscrapers? Of course. The two main issues are strong wind exposure and limited soil depth. But these can be overcome if your landscaping provider has the right experience with rooftop landscapes.
Here are a few best practices we recommend:
- Screens, fencing, trellises, and taller plants can form an outer windbreak for delicate plants in inner areas.
- Native plants are naturally adapted to your property’s environment, making them resilient.
- To attract helpful pollinators nearly year-round, a mix of plants that flower from early spring through late fall is best.
- Plant grouping helps reduce maintenance needs while making pollination easy for these beneficial organisms.
- Since most pollinator plants need a minimum of six hours of sunlight, south-facing rooftops and terraces are ideal.
And it’s important to note here that not everyone understands the critical role of pollinators. That’s where helpful signage helps inform tenants and protect pollinators fluttering around. Handsome and helpful signs can be found at organizations such as the Pollinator Partnership and the Xerces Society.
What other positive results come out of modern high-rise landscaping trends?
Nutritious Landscaping Trend: Rooftop Herb & Edible Garden
For decades, rooftops were wasted outdoor spaces. Now tenants and employees can find peaceful breaks with panoramic views enhanced by beautiful flowers. Lately, we’ve seen that herb and edible gardens are taking off in a big way.
Edible vegetation holds the same positive well-being benefits as traditional landscaping. But it goes a step further by providing healthy nutrition alongside chances to break bread together. On-site cafes are hopping on this high-rise trend by using hyper-locally grown vegetables and herbs.
Common edible plants grown in rooftop gardens include:
- Mint
- Kale
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Cucumbers
- Strawberries
Experienced horticulturists make all the difference with edible gardens in elevated spaces. Rooftop plants need careful watering since high winds and serious sun exposure are more intense than at street level. Irrigation experts provide efficient solutions that keep plants healthy, so they produce plenty of delicious greens and fruits. And you can avoid wasting water with outdated watering methods.
Modern irrigation on high-rise landscapes utilizes:
- Drip irrigation
- Self-watering planters
- Proper soil for ideal draining
- Right plant, right place philosophy (avoids “water needy” species)
Professional horticulturists are vital to bountiful “mini-harvests.” However, rooftop edible gardens are also great opportunities for community engagement. Tenants can volunteer to maintain the garden spaces and schedule gatherings for when it’s time to harvest the tasty produce.
Rooftop gardens are perfect opportunities for fun classes to learn the art of growing your own food. This sometimes encourages people to plant a few herbs on their balconies.
Living Art Creates Cleaner Air with Vertical Green Walls
It’s nice to have a high-rise landscaping trend that can help people feel better, right? Air quality is so vital to our health. And vertical green walls are making a positive impact in enhancing our well-being.
Green walls (aka living walls) are panels of plants grown vertically. Ironically, they use similar “limited space concepts” that high-rise buildings use.
There are two primary systems professional landscapers utilize to grow and maintain vertical green walls:
- Hydroponic. Instead of soil at the garden base, nutrient-rich water is the foundation for the rooftop landscaping. This system gives better control over plants’ health and growth patterns. Water gets recirculated, so it’s a sustainable plan.
- Soil-based. Soil is the base here, just as it would be on ground level. Plants are installed in trays or pockets. While this method doesn’t use up electricity, it can be tricky getting large amounts of soil to a high-rise’s roof.
Both systems above have pros and cons. Get the full picture from your landscaping provider before making a final choice. Either way, we’re sure that your tenants, workers, and guests will get lots of enjoyment from vertical green walls.
These other benefits are a few other bonues worth mentioning:
- Noise reduction
- Biophilic appeal
- Natural temperature regulation
Who wouldn’t like to turn the dial down on noise? As for biophilic appeal, researchers are only at the beginning stages of understanding the upsides of greenery, natural materials, and the sounds of nature.
Indoor and Outdoor Options for Green Walls
Luckily, you don’t have to settle for vertical green walls only in outdoor areas. For interior use, popular locations are lobbies, conference rooms, and open office areas. Exterior? They can work anywhere to produce a better visual appeal. And unlike outdoor installations, weather threats aren’t a big concern.
Outside green walls, however, do need protection from the following:
- Hail
- Frost
- Snow
- High winds
Inside or outside, vertical living walls filter out air pollutants, reduce anxiety, and lower the heat island effect found in most urban metros.
Plant selection is vital to having a healthy living wall and reducing upkeep hassles. Technology helps too. Automated irrigation and lighting adjust via modern sensors. These real-time adjustments mean plants get optimal light and moisture. Even nutrient levels can be checked using IoT (Internet of Things).
This video shows similar innovations in action.
Planning and Maintaining High-Rise Landscapes
You just can’t go wrong with high-rise landscape enhancements. It’s hard to imagine downsides because leveling up rooftop appeal to bolster overall curb appeal is such a noble goal. However, there are some important considerations.
The rooftop or terrace will have weight-bearing restrictions. The weight of all the soil, small trees, water, and furniture can add up. Plus, think of the extra people who’ll be utilizing an enhanced rooftop. Safety is paramount, so consult your building engineer before commencing any project.
Then, there are water issues beyond keeping plants and flowers irrigated. Your landscape provider needs expertise in rooftop landscaping to ensure the drainage and waterproofing are correctly installed. Water leaks cause serious damage if they go unchecked. Your provider should have an inspection schedule from day one to prevent those major problems.
People enjoying high-rise landscape spaces must also be kept safe. Slip and falls from irrigation are a concern, as are tripping hazards. To ensure your rooftop landscape is both stunning and safe, partner with experienced landscape architects and maintenance teams.
True professionals have you covered as they consider every variable, including:
- Privacy
- Irrigation
- Microclimates
- Site conditions
- Plant selection
- Access to utilities
- Environmental impact
- Building codes and permits
- Sunlight and shade patterns
- Resident and guest preferences
- Long-term maintenance planning
Yellowstone Landscape brings a wealth of experience to high-rise landscape projects. Technical know-how combined with a client-focused approach smooths the way for success. The process begins with a detailed site analysis and continues through design, installation, and ongoing care.
Our teams have been through the logistical challenges of getting plants, trees, and soil to rooftops of all shapes and sizes. That experience is vital to efficient operations, along with understanding local municipal regulations.
Our comprehensive landscaping services also provide clients with the following:
- Regular inspections
- Tailored plant health care
- Smart irrigation set-up for water conservation
For nearly two decades, each high-rise landscaping project has provided insightful lessons our designers and teams utilize on projects that follow.
The Future of High-Rise Green Design
Important innovations are happening all the time. Smart building systems are being integrated with high-rise green designs. Smart irrigation is part of the puzzle, improving efficiency with soil moisture checks and weather forecasts. New humidity sensors are capable of maintaining near-perfect growing conditions while conserving resources like fertilizer and electricity.
Platforms like IDRICA’s digital twins are also performing helpful analyses (e.g. water usage, air quality, and plant health). Operational costs are being slashed through predictive maintenance. What about return on investment (ROI)?
Noteworthy views amid stunning greenery now go hand-in-hand with measurable sustainability ROI (figures below):
- Buildings with LEED and WELL certifications see higher rental income and increased brand value (Southern Energy).
- Green roofs can reduce the cooling load by 70% and lower indoor air temperature by 27°F (EPA).
- Recycled carbon-negative concrete and self-healing bio-materials are reducing carbon and strengthening structures (Northwestern)
High-rise property owners have the opportunity to blend well-being with beautiful design. Tenants and employees can relax in natural environments while getting a cognitive performance lift through cleaner air. And with engaging activities like yoga classes, herbal workshops, and rooftop gardening, tenant retention can be quickly improved.
A notable example of high-rise landscaping is NYC’s Javits Center. Its 6.75-acre green roof cools the building while creating a biodiverse habitat for 26 bird species drawn to the elevated green space.
Emerging trends to keep an eye on include:
- Vertical agroforestry
- AI-driven biodiversity
- Regenerative certifications
Conclusion
The future is now for high-rise landscaping. Rooftops are no longer an afterthought. Now they’re a prime location to add curb appeal, functional design, and inviting spaces for tenants. Don’t forget the welcoming environment living walls and green roofs provide for our planet’s pollinators.
As we saw with rooftop edible gardens, possibilities are limited only by imagination. Execution of ideas is only limited by your landscape designer and maintenance team’s expertise. Rooftop landscaping is a very different challenge from traditional landscaping. The atmosphere and elements on tall roofs are typically extreme, hindering the health and vibrance of rooftop landscapes.
The good news is careful planning and strategic maintenance give your high-rise landscaping the best opportunity to make a remarkable impact. The air quality improvement alone is worth the investment. Add the mental health benefits, chances to connect, and employee productivity boost and these projects are gifts to high-rise tenants and employees.
Experience matters. Expertise in every imaginable landscaping project type does too. Yellowstone Landscape has been built on that experience and expertise. Contact us today for a rooftop landscaping consultation or site evaluation.
