Aultman Health Foundation is a not-for-profit health care organization serving Stark and surrounding counties. The vertically integrated institution includes Aultman Hospital, Aultman Orrville Hospital, the locally managed health-insurance provider AultCare and the Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences. With 808 beds, 535 active physicians and a staff of nearly 5,000 employees, Aultman is Stark County’s largest hospital and employer.

As part of an ongoing effort to green up its campus, promote sustainability and improve the care experience for patients, Aultman Hospital installed its first green roof in December, 2012. The LiveRoof® Hybrid Green Roof System was selected for the 2,500-square-foot project, which was installed by Rice’s Nursery & Landscaping with plants grown by Corso’s Perennials.

“Views of natural landscapes have a positive effect on emotional and mental health. Some studies have even shown that patients who have a view of green space have lower levels of stress and anxiety and recover more quickly, ” said Ryan Jones, vice president of support services at Aultman Hospital. “In addition to providing a more natural view from the windows of our patient rooms, the green roof provides environmental benefits, including better stormwater management.”

“The green roof also shields the underlying structural roof, protecting it from UV radiation and temperature extremes and from damage from windblown debris,” said Jones. “That helps extend the service life of the roof.”

According to Jones, the project team agreed on the selection of the LiveRoof system. Its modular design makes it easy to install. LiveRoof modules include unique features which establish a green roof as a naturally functioning ecosystem. With LiveRoof, the green roof plants are fully grown when the system is installed for instant results, enduring beauty and low maintenance.

“Through its area distributor and grower, Corso’s Perennials, LiveRoof offered regional horticultural expertise and green roof planning and installation experience that made them a good partner for our local landscape contractor, Rice’s Nursery & Landscaping,” said Jones.

“When Rice’s Nursery installed the green roof at Aultman Hospital in October, we delivered the LiveRoof modules full of regionally adapted, locally grown plants that were full-grown, flourishing, and ready for the rooftop, which is a tough environment for plants,” said Gus Corso, president of Corso’s Perennials. “The roof is planted with our Carefree Evergreen plant mix, which features eight different varieties of Sedum for a diversity of textures and colors. The blue of the Sedum reflexum and the yellow of the Angelina stand out from the green and red varieties. Winter brings out more red and purple shades, and the yellow turns to orange.”