I am hoping to draw on the experience of Rock gardeners for potential new plant materials for green roofs. Plants that would work well, would include, those that like it hot, dry, sunny, windy, and exposed, in a gravelly somewhat alkaline shallow soil with around ~20% organic matter, and ~80% mineral. Currently, sedums dominate the market. Other plants in somewhat common use include those of the genera; Allium, Talinum, Opuntia, and Sempervivum.
I'm thinking there's many more out there, that would love a green roof. Any ideas?
I'm also planting alpine plants in 6" of green roof media in planters on my windowsills at home. I'm not sure how they'll deal with the reflections off the windows. I'm sure some won't like Chicago, some will succeed.
My current windowsill is planted with;
Acantholimon armenum
Androsace hirtella
Anemone blanda 'enem'
Arabis x kellereri
Astragalus angustifolius
Calceolaria ex. garden Barrie Porteous
Campanula betulifolia
Campanula trogerae x betufoliae
Daphne 'Lawrence Crocker'
Daphe 'Schlyteri'
Draba bryoides
Penstemon uintahensis
Penstemon virens
Petrophyton hendersonii
Saxifraga 'Sieberi'
Silene acaulis 'Anne Spiegel'
Currently these are all dormant, but have Southern exposure. I can change to an Eastern exposure without too much difficulty. Does anyone have any thoughts?