More than just green fingers
PLASTIC: FROM SAVING OCEANS TO BEING WATER-WISE
Chelsea Flower Show tackles environmental problems of our time.
June is world environment month and this year the focus is on plastic pollution, particularly its impact on the marine life in our oceans.
SPACE TO GROW
The Chelsea Flower Show unveiled a new “Space to Grow” garden category with an overall theme of health and wellbeing, that translated into trendsetting and innovative gardens focussed on responsible urban ecology, as well as offering take-home ideas and inspiration.
The most unconventional, and certainly a talking point, was gold medal winning “The Pearlfisher Garden”, in partnership with Plastic Oceans. Through the creation of an underwater garden, using cacti, succulents and air plants to mimic corals and seaweed, it called attention to the devastating impact plastic waste is having on under-water eco-systems.
Some facts:
13 million tons of plastic arrive in the oceans each year, 100 000 marine animals are killed by plastic each year, and It takes 100 years for plastic to degrade in the environment.
URBAN FLOW
The winning garden in the Space to Grow category, was “Urban Flow”, designed as a practical, garden for a family with teenage children.
It used eco-friendly ways to water, and a planting scheme that mitigated pollution while attracting wildlife.
Sponsored by Thames Water, its novel approach to rainwater harvesting included iron grates in the floor to allow rainwater to drain into a submerged trough for watering the plants. All plants were selected to withstand unpredictable climate conditions, and included salvia, euphorbias, and irises.
Another ecology-sensitive urban garden, “The New West End Garden”, was envisaged as con- temporary communal garden within a typical London square. Its aim was to provide an inviting space and year-round green oasis while using environmentally positive technology.
This included paving that converts footsteps into electricity and data, energy-harvesting systems, solar lighting and air-purifying plants that absorb toxins and help to clean the atmosphere. It was also awarded a gold medal.
BEST FOR BEES Plants for pollinators were the heroes in all the gardens, but many of them are not as easily available here. Try these locally available plants instead:
Calendula (winter) Bon Bon a drought-tolerant bushy dwarf variety with fully double flowers that attract butterflies as well. The edible petals add a spicy flavour to salads. Plant in sun.
Nemesia (spring) Nesia grows 40cm high and spreads up to 30 cm. The small snapdragon-like flowers are lightly fragrant. Grow in semi-shade.
Osteospermum (spring) Akila is a slightly bigger plant (50cm high and wide). It is a naturally branching plant that doesn’t need pinching. Plants are drought tolerant once established.
Agastache (summer) Arizona Sunset is a short, compact, perennial hybrid that produces a dense mass of flower-spikes. The edible flowers have a light minty scent. It is drought tolerant.