Phases at Queens Botanical Garden

For the past four years, we've worked on a large multi faceted project at Queens Botanical Garden in Flushing, NY. We were brought in to help create and maintain several high profile green projects at the gardens, including a large green roof atop the new Visitor Center, and a large storm runoff management system composed of a network of bioswales. We've also planted thousands of plants including shrubs, native grasses and seasonal flowering plants. Check out some of the images in the slideshow, and read more below.

Bioswale & Green Roof vs. Storm Runoff

The large, sloped green roof topping the new LEED Platinum rated Visitor Center is one of the most exciting and large scape green roof projects we've been involved with. Rising from ground level to a height of three stories, the 3.000 square foot roof is planted with an explosion of flowering plants, native grasses, medium and large shrubs and bushes, and equipment to measure rainfall, wind and other geo-data. The centerpiece of the Garden's Master Plan, the Visitor and Administration Building represents showcases many best practices in modern sustainable design. Some of the species on the green roof include Little Bluestem (Andropogon scoparius) and Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepsis). Learn more about the green roof and the data being collected  at QBG's page here bit.ly/queensbotanical.

The planted roof is one of the systems QBG has relied on to minimize storm water runoff, reducing the burden on the city's overstressed sewage system. The garden's bioswale system similarly helps to divert rainwater from collecting in naturally marshy areas, and redirects it into planted areas that help to distribute it into the water table. We planted the network of bioswale systems with over 50 varieties, including Andropogon scoparium, Aster novae angliae and Carex vulpinoidea. Bioswales are naturally sustainable systems that are beautiful and very low tech.

The grasses are interplanted with the perennials for a very good reason- After the hard frost, in November or December, the grasses will die back, and their roots will become compost that enrich the soil with nutrients, and help maintain the structure of the soil to prevent washing away. The composting process also helps to regulate the temperature of the soil, which benefits the perennials. BDBnyc and The QBG team are dedicated to minimizing the use of harmful pesticides and chemicals.

For more information about our work on this project, or to find out how to reduce stormwater or increase the lifetime of your roof membrane, get in touch with us.