Asparagus densiflorus
Plant suitable for use on
Green Roofs in the Durban
Area
Asparagus densiflorus
is one of a number of
plant
species which are presently being tested for their
suitability to be grown as Green Roof
plants in the Durban region that have initially shown good results.
They all
occur naturally within a radius of 50 km of the Durban
city centre
Asparagus
densiflorus
occur naturally in the greater
Durban region in particular
interest for
use in the establishment of green roofs is the fact that they are often
found
growing
naturally in full sun on inhospitable rocky calcite outcrops on the
seashore
along the Bluff and Isipingo slopes experiencing the full effects of
the salt
laden maritime environment. Here they are often found growing fully
exposed to
the elements at times in locations that are practically devoid of all
soil.
Growth habit
These
plants are medium to low growing evergreen clump forming that easily
reproduce
themselves from seed.
Decorative
value
These plants
are most decorative having light glossy green compound leaves and a
fairly neat
growth habit, they produce a profusion of small white flowers in mid to
late summer,
Under stress conditions they can become tatty and untidy.
Drought
resistance
These plants
have a very extensive root system with large fleshy grape like tubers
on their
root ends where they are able to store very large amounts of water.
These
plants are able to easily withstand very harsh and dry conditions
provided that
they periodically get a good rain shower to replenish their water
reserves.
The large masses of water storage tubers make these plants very drought
resistant
Disease and pest resistance
I have not
experienced diseases attacking these plants, however they are often
attacked by
chewing insects and leaf miners both of which appear to do no lasting
damage to
the health of the plant.
Suitability
as Green Roof plants
Although
they are fairly slow growing which has not give us enough time to
evaluate them
under out test conditions, due to their well know natural
characteristics it is
hard to believe that these plants will not make very suitable green
roof plants.
Biodiversity
value in the Green
Roof landscape
Large
numbers of pollinating insects in particular honey bees are drawn to
the plants
when they are in flower. Birds eat the red berries that are produced in
profusion
Cautions and
precautions in the Green Roof
application
None that I
am aware of at the moment
Ecoman Durban Indigenous
Landscape Design Consultant
Bio-Diverse Indigenous Landscaping I design
landscapes and gardens that are Bio-Diverse as well as being pleasing
to the eye
Landscapes and Gardens that are Nature Friendly
I
use my many years of landscape planning and design as well as landscape
construction experience coupled to my vast knowledge of the
requirements of nature to create habitat suitable for birds,
butterflies and other creatures to live and breed in.
I
always apply the basic principles of good landscape design to create an
aesthetically pleasing garden that at the same time satisfies the
living requirements of the target creatures that I would like to
attract. My speciality is to attract birds, butterflies and solitary
bees. I design and build Bio-Diverse Roof Gardens
So
let Ecoman design and create a garden for you that will
be a haven for
wildlife such as birds, butterflies, frogs and lizards in the number of
species comparable to KrugerNational Park.
For
all of your Green Roof requirements contact Michael Hickman Specialist
in Green Roof Technology at +27 82 061 2593 or email at
info@ecoman.co.za