Green Roof Plant Guide

30 October 2023

By OCULUS

A photograph of an elevated urban park full of lush vegetation. There is a person sitting on one of three yellow bean bag chairs.

Image: Melbourne Quarter Sky Park. Lendlease.

The University of Melbourne Green Infrastructure Research Group launched the Burnley Green Roof Plant Guide on Wurundjeri Country – on the green roof of Victoria's Parliament House.

Developed by researchers and horticultural experts at the University of Melbourne's Burnley Campus, it’s the first comprehensive guide to plant selection for green roofs in Australia.

Green roofs can contribute to cooler, more biodiverse and liveable cities. The guide aims to support designers, planners and building occupants in choosing the right plants to create flourishing green roofs in Australian conditions.

The guide features case studies of our work on Bendigo Hospital Green Roofs and Melbourne Quarter’s Sky Park, a publicly accessible park elevated approximately three storeys above street level:

‘Sky Park is a secluded, tranquil green retreat in the city of Melbourne where Australian and exotic species are used in a naturalistic planting design to create a series of distinct spaces for different uses and experiences… Sky Park is well-used by building occupants and lunchtime city workers who make use of the lawn area and a range of seating options to lounge, socialise or for respite, with the pathway enabling gentle exercise.’

Sky Park, designed in collaboration with Aspect Studios and Denton Corker Marshall, opened in 2018 and is currently growing, with a new stage under construction, due for completion in 2024.

For more details, including lists of plant species, download the Burnley Green Roof Plant Guide for free.

An image of the cover of an A4 report, the white title on a green background reads 'Burnley Green Roof Plant Guide'.

Latest

National Gallery of Australia Sculpture Garden Design Competition

A photo of ten smiling people holding three framed certificates and three trophies. One is giving a thumbs up.

03 Feb 2026 — Triple win for Seafarers

A digital render of a waterfront park filled with trees and people. The park is under a large concrete bridge, and a boat shed with ramp is visible.

27 Jan 2026 — New waterfront park sets ambitious goal for Women in Construction

A visualisation of an interactive water's edge with sandstone steps, alongside large trees, and large buildings in the background.

20 Jan 2026 — Renewing the old Sydney Fish Market site

A photo of people socialising in a laneway-like space between two buildings under the shade of trees and umbrellas.

29 Oct 2025 — Victorian Premier’s Design Awards: Triple Finalist

A horizontal cover with a green and blue landscape image reading "Nature Design Guide"

15 Oct 2025 — Nature Design Guide

An aerial photograph of a handful of people walking around a park with paved paths, lawn area, and Australian native plants.

30 Oct 2025 — The Oval at Subi East wins two AILA National Awards

A young vine with purple flowers growing out of rocky ground in front of blurry train tracks.

26 Nov 2025 — World Architecture Festival Win for Creative Reuse

A mock up of a document with dark green covers reading "Woody Meadow Guidelines: Naturalistic plantings of Australian woody plants for people and nature." There are flower graphics on the cover, and the document sits on an isolated white background.

24 Nov 2025 — Guide to Growing a Woody Meadow