The 2010 People’s Choice Award winner is the Xero Flor Canada ’s XF 301® green roof system. It consists of a pre-cultivated moss-sedum vegetation blanket, a retention fleece, a drainage layer, and a root barrier. The unit is easily rolled out onto a rooftop during installation.

The XF 301 flowers in the summer, goes dormant in the winter, and requires no permanent irrigation system. The benefits are many, including reduced storm water runoff and decreased building energy usage, along with air purification and improved aesthetics. Specially designed Xero Flor green roofs are part of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Athletic Village.

“We may be considered a new product in Canada, but our patented technology was developed nearly 40 years ago and has been slowly greening rooftops worldwide,” said company president Joy Schmidt. “We are thrilled that Canadians are now looking at the urgent environmental problems we face and how our lightweight system can be a part of the solution here at home.”

The Canadian-owned company manufactures, grows, designs and installs patented green roof systems throughout Canada. It is recognized worldwide as a pioneer in this technology.

The People’s Choice Award is designed to engage and get market feedback from industry professionals who actually purchase and use the products.

“It’s always exciting to see what new green products will impress industry professionals,” said Michael LaPorte, of Clearview Nursery Ltd., a representative of the New Product Showcase committee. “They are the decision-makers who recommend and install the product, ultimately determining its commercial success. The choice of Xero Flor’s green roof system reflects the increased demand by industry professionals for products that respect environmental issues.”

Congress is Canada’s largest international, horticultural, lawn and garden trade show and conference. It featured over 600 exhibitors and welcomed 12,960 industry professionals. The 2011 show will take place Jan. 11-13 at the Toronto Congress Centre.