A Dutch delight
THERE WAS INSPIRATION IN ABUNDANCE AT THE RECENT GROWING GREEN CITIES EXPO IN HOLLAND
FLORIADE is a major international horticultural exhibition in Holland – it’s on a grand scale and only takes place every 10 years.
Experts gather from around the world to present their latest innovations, there are international pavilions and gardens to visit.
This year’s theme was Growing Green Cities – how to make cities greener, grow food in them and make them more pleasant, healthy places for people to live.
With increasing urbanisation, more of us are living in cities than ever before so it’s important to examine how gardeners can contribute to improving the urban environment. A couple of weeks back just before it closed I popped along to be inspired by the displays at this vast site 40 minutes from Amsterdam.
Among it all I found a gem of a garden, a delightful oasis. The Wilde Weelde garden means wild opulence, an appreciation of the wealth of nature and a focus on putting nature at the forefront.
The overall design was a spiralling vortex with the outer walls made from recycled materials such as logs and bits of rubble, brick and concrete.
Sections of concrete pipe were used to create square and round windows to the views beyond of the lake and city.
Raised beds were beautifully constructed using old paving slabs stacked tight against each other in an upright position.
At the centre was an amazing pond encircled by a path which spiralled and descended into the water. Children were encouraged to explore the pond life and while I was there many of them were absorbed with fishing nets.
The pond was planted with familiar rushes, Cardamine pratensis and water lilies, and uses a helophyte filter (reeds on a bed of sand) to keep the water pure.
Water provides a breeding ground for many insects and amphibians, a place to drink for birds and a source of tranquillity and pleasure for us – the fountain of all life.
The planting in the garden was a real mix. I loved the vegetable and ornamental plants growing side by side and there was plenty of room for self-seeding and a relaxed style.
The crevices in the log walls create much needed habitats for native birds, mammals and insects whose usual homes are increasingly gobbled up by urbanisation. There are nest boxes for house sparrows, starlings and even a bat house!
The insect hotel is located on the south facing aspect of the wall, providing a cosy home for native wild bees who will lay their eggs in the bamboo canes.
A large sculptural bench made from wavy layers of ceramic tiles was the perfect place to enjoy the space.
The garden demonstrates the possibility of living in harmony with nature right in the middle of a city and creates a community area which can act as a focus for nature and people.
In keeping with the sustainable theme, the entire expo area will be redeveloped into Hortus, a green urban district for the future. No matter which street you are on, the first thing you will see is green vegetation – putting green centre stage for a new neighbourhood.