Winter Advice: Can a Green Roof Survive Frost and Snow?
As winter sets in and the nights draw in, you might notice your green roof starting to look a little different. Don’t worry - these changes are completely natural and simply show how a sedum green roof adapts to colder weather.
Whether your project is a small green roof house extension or a larger commercial roof, the plants are designed to cope with frost, snow and the typical Green Roofs UK climate.
How Your Sedum Roof Changes in Winter
One of the first things you may see is that the plants on your sedum roof don’t look as full as they did in summer. The foliage can shrink back, and growth slows down. This is your living roof entering its normal winter dormancy.
The sedum plants for green roofs we use store plenty of energy after the final autumn feed, so they’re well prepared for the colder months. Some of the semi-deciduous sedums for green roofs will lose a few leaves, but they’ll bounce back strongly in spring.
Because we use a carefully balanced green roof system with a mix of 9-11 sedum species, your extensive green roof will still offer texture and interest, even when growth has slowed.
Why the Foliage Can Turn Red
Another common winter change on a living green roof is that some foliage turns red or bronze. On a roof, temperatures are lower and winds are stronger than at ground level, so the sedum produces natural pigments to protect itself.
This is completely normal and not a sign of failure. In fact, it’s part of good green roof design: choosing hardy plants for a green roof that can cope with both frost and drought. The same colour change can appear in summer during dry periods, and your green roof construction is built to support this natural cycle.
Winter Performance: Still Working Hard for Your Home
Even though your sedum green roof may look quieter in winter, it is still working away in the background. A well-installed green roof system adds an extra layer of insulation and helps stabilise temperatures inside your building.
It also protects the underlying waterproof roof membrane from damage caused by repeated freezing and thawing. By buffering temperature swings and improving green roof drainage and overall roof drainage, the system helps to extend the life of the roof build-up.
These are some of the key advantages of green roof design. The less “showy” winter months are when many of the hidden green roof benefits really pay off.
Simple Winter Care Tips
For most homeowners, green roof maintenance in winter is minimal. As long as your gutters and outlets are clear and roof drainage is working properly, your green roof construction should need very little attention.
If you’re ever unsure about how your roof is performing, your green roof system installer will be able to advise on inspection and maintenance, ensuring your green roof stays healthy year after year. Alternatively, please don’t hesitate to contact us here if you have any general concerns regarding your green roof!
