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Container Gardening garden

Perennial for planter box

6 years ago

I recently took down a tree house in my yard. A lot of the lumber is treated and in good shape. I have a flat roof garage I was wanted to build planters to face 2 sides of the roof. I have enough material to make 5 boxes 6 ft long. 5.5 inches wide and 9.5 inches deep.

i live in northern Illinois/ zone 5. 100% sunlight exposure on roof. I was hoping to plant some that would raise of of box and some that may spill over. I am guessing I can try different kinds of sedums. However I am working with a fairly tight budget and don't have much margin for error.

would the boxes be large enough to support pereniels? What would be a good/ cheap median to plant in? I am a beginning gardener but have little/ no expierience using planter boxes.

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

6 years ago

"I could start plants at ground level so I could water until established."

And how will you be able to water them after that? They will continue to need water........

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Comments (10)

rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Not sure if I understand exactly: are these boxes to be sitting on the roof?

If so, it would be most likely very important to consider total weight - frame/box + soil. They get quite heavy. And the bottom of them - rather the roof itself - should be protected from extra water that could add even more load.
Paul MI
6 years ago
Also, if you haven't considered this already, the planters should probably have "feet" to raise them off the roof about an inch. This would allow for better drainage and some air circulation between the bottom of the planters and roof.

Can the planters be made wider than 5.5"?

Are you planning on having some irrigation for them or hoping they will just "fend for themselves" water-wise?
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funkyhat
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Roofing material is designed/installed with the presumption it will not have a source (planter box) on top of it to constantly be attempting to 'soak through'. However you design your system, it should be with this in mind (ie: legs under the planter).
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
6 years ago
Without "much of a margin for error", I'd look at some extremely cold hardy and drought tolerant perennials.......something that is listed to at least zone 3. Not much else will survive that exposure in a northern Illinois winter!
mrmohr80
Original Author
6 years ago

These are rough photos of one example. They will be sitting on a concrete ledge directly above brick wall, so wieght should only be a min r factor.

Securing to a roof is a a concern but only a concern if it is possible to find something perenial (and attractive) to grow that requires little mainteance. I would have about 5 of these spaced to cover 2 coornery of garage.

I could start plants at ground level so I could water until established.

Sorry for delay on pics. Weather in Midwest has been disgusting and I didnt want to hoist one up just for a photo opp.
mrmohr80
Original Author
6 years ago
I can' continue watering. Zone 5 rain would be the source.

In emergency I could water however I suggested sedum because they may have a chance.

The worst ideas are the ones you don't share?
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
6 years ago
Well, a least it will be an experiment!! But IME with any sort of plants in a container, relying only on rainwater is very risky, even with very drought tolerant plants. Often they will need water on a daily basis in summer. And my summers are nowhere near as hot as yours.
funkyhat
6 years ago
And those planters don't look like they have a large soil volume to hold onto water during those August heat waves.
Paul MI
6 years ago
If you were to rig a small irrigation system, this would be far more likely to succeed.

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