The growth of green roofs begins down on the farm

MD — Since 1998, Emory Knoll Farms has focused solely on growing plants used in green roofs, according to the Capital.
Millions of small sedums, delosperma and nearly 80 other varieties of green roof plants are grown at Emory Knoll Farms and distributed to more than 400 clients each year, the story stated.
According to the story, Emory Knoll Farms has noted a 70 percent increase in sales over the past five years, something owner Ed Snodgrass says reflects a growing national interest in green roofs.
Snodgrass and his business partner, John Shepley, say they take pride not only in their service and quality of plants, but on "being a resource for the green world as a whole," the story noted.
Snodgrass said: "I went broke dairy farming. We couldn't control the pricing. I had a lot of faith that green roofs would happen, but didn't envision it being this successful."
Through connections in the horticulture world and a few horticulture conferences, Snodgrass, who instantly became fascinated by green roofs, began growing a small number of plants that were used in research; the business grew rapidly from there, the story added.