The recently opened Green Roof Garden at the Betty H. Cameron Women’s & Children’s Hospital is blooming with environmental benefits.

The self-sustainable green space, on the campus of New Hanover Regional Medical Center, is outside the pediatric playroom and family area. It’s made from recycled materials and designed to give children and their families an area of refuge filled with fresh air and sunshine, hospital officials said.

“It was part of our vision from the beginning to have an outdoor area for our pediatric patients and families. We know from research and our own experiences that spending time outside is relaxing and can help patients and families better heal and cope with the stress they’re under,” said Barbara Buechler, hospital administrator, in a prepared statement.

There are also environmental benefits to the Green Roof Garden. Beuchler said the new roof will help save on storm water runoff, absorb pollution and save up to 10 percent on heating and cooling costs.

 The green roof design also increases the life of the roof because plants protect it from ultraviolet rays and prevent damaging expansion and contraction.

The Betty H. Cameron Women’s & Children’s Hospital Green Roof is divided into two areas. The first is just outside the family lounge on the pediatric unit, and offers parents of patients a quiet place to go while remaining close to their children. The second area is near the pediatric playroom and is designed for children and families to relax outside, close to hospital care.

Both gardens are named in honor of gifts made to the New Hanover Regional Medical Center Foundation. Wilmington Health Associates’ Children’s Clinic provided a gift to name the family lounge patio in honor of Dr. Ralph Moore, a physician who founded the Children’s Clinic in 1959.

Emily P. Longley, of Longley Supply Co., made a gift to name the pediatric garden. Her father, Henry Longley, was among the original hospital founders, and the Longley family has supported many NHRMC programs over the years, said hospital president and CEO Jack Barto.

Steve Mott of Mott Landscaping, a locally owned, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified company,  designed the green roof and told hospital officials it is one of the first gardens of its kind and scope in the Wilmington area.

The garden is populated with more than 30 species of native plants adopted to the area climate and requiring less care and resources than non-native plants. Soil is not used in the garden. Very small pieces of a shale-like medium are used for planting instead.

The material is much lighter than soil, does not compact and allows for better drainage.

“Each plant is watered through a system that collects and stores rain water, using only as much as is needed. By filtering, absorbing and retaining rainfall, the green roof also treats nitrogen pollution and negates the effect of acid rain,” said Christina Maroulis, director of planning and construction at NHRMC, in a press release.