Awkward spaces – Glastonbury

This is an interesting low budget project around a new public building, the garden spaces are to be looked at by users of the building rather than to be sat in.  Environmental benefits of the design include:

Use of recycled materials

  • Screened, recycled topsoil (& recycled crushed concrete) to make up levels / replace that taken from site during construction
  • Organic woodchip mulch to naturally control and deter weeds 

 Use of natural materials

  • Softwood sleepers (FSC certified) to define the beds / design throughout the winter months
  • Plants chosen to attract and support wildlife (e.g. insects and birds)

 Plants have been selected to offer

  • A long season of flowering (repeat flowering Rosa de Rescht, Cyclamen coum, C. hederifolium and Pyracantha)
  • Scent over a long season (Rosa de Rescht)
  • Food for wildlife (berries, nectar & pollen)
  • Winter interest (Cyclamen, Pyracantha and Malus ’Red Sentinel’)
  • Habitat for wildlife (trees and wall trained Pyracantha)

 Attracting wildlife

  • According to the BUGS survey at Sheffield University trees contribute significantly to biodiversity in an urban setting e.g. habitat, food, shelter.  Two trees have been incorporated into the design
  • Wall shrubs provide habitat, food, shelter, nesting sites
  • Willow wall mounted sculpture – my outdoor willow sculptures frequently attract nesting birds  

Design relating to the local landscape
Malus ‘Red Sentinel’, a crab apple, links to the cider tradition of the area
The willow sculpture is made from Somerset willow