Idea Gardens

Wild Ideas - welcoming wildlife into the garden

The 'Go Wild' Festival throughout 2003 was important in many ways. The Idea Gardens showed visitors how a coming generation of horticulturists and gardeners thought about their relationship to Britain's environment. On view were six small gardens designed by Kew’s final year Diploma students based on UK Biodiversity themes.

The gardens, generously supported by SITA Environmental Trust, illustrated different approaches to using the UK’s native plants in a small garden plot. The students were inspired by a diverse range of habitats and landscapes, including disused railways as corridors for wildlife, the native silver birch and the beauty of the Somerset Levels. Each demonstrated ideas for application at home and encouraged a greater understanding of biodiversity in the average domestic garden. The gardens are no longer at Kew, but you can read about them below.

'Railway Reclaimed' by Bob McMeekin

Loss of habitat constitutes the greatest treat to the existence of UK plants and animals. Another major threat is the biological invasion of alien plant species. Not all non-native species are invasive and harmful, but many can take over and change long established ecosystems.

Disused railways are quickly reclaimed by nature, and unless they are managed as wildlife corridors, there is the danger that non-native, invasive species can create monocultures and spread rapidly. Careful management of such areas is important, because they form natural passageways or corridors for wildlife, helping animals to navigate though an increasingly fragmented landscape of urban and agricultural development. This garden was planted with both native and invader species and visitors were invited to test their knowledge of each.

'On Reflection' by Fumiko Ishizuna

The Somerset Levels is one of the famous and unique landscapes within the UK. Originally reclaimed from the sea, the area is now important for agriculture.

'On Reflection' was a contemporary interpretation of a ditch in the Somerset Levels, where the reclaimed land provides a haven for wildlife. The garden design picked out the main elements of the landscape, emphasising the reflection of sunlight on the water, using mirrors and metal strips. These were formed into modified grass leaves, magnifying movement and sunlight within a small space. A woven wire nest represented that of the reed warbler finding security within the reeds.

The plant species chosen were all UK natives, planted en mass, with the mirror maximising the space and simplicity of the design. These plants species look attractive in a garden setting but their beauty can be more appreciated in the natural habitat, which is now increasingly under threat from development.

'The Lady of the Woods' by John Evans

The silver birch, called The Lady of the Woods by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, one of Britain’s greatest poets, is an ancient UK native, a pioneer. In Celtic mythology, it represents the emergence of spring.

In biodiversity terms, this single plant species provides food and shelter for over 230 insects, which in turn attract animals. A charcoal kiln, long associated with coppiced birch woodlands, was included in the garden design.

'Diverse-city' by Andrew Luke

Held within the confines of the garden boundary lies a rich green oasis of diversity, creating a much needed buffer zone from urban pollution and lifestyle. This design used native plants, often forgotten or discarded as weeds. The beauty of the individual native plants was enhanced by the number of different species growing together within a small space.

All of the plant material used was native to the UK and the natural habitat of many of the species chosen is under threat from human activities. The garden was designed to be relatively low maintenance to give a natural wild look, whilst attracting many animal species into the garden. The coppice provided an area to walk through while relaxing.

The garden was built to show that many of the UK flora species are well worth growing in the garden, but that the emphasis should be on preserving their natural habitat for future generations to enjoy. The British hedgerow provides a home for plant and animal species, and often supports more species than many woodlands.

'Plant Zoo' by Mark Ward

'Plant Zoo' highlighted the need for conservation of UK flora, focusing upon the plight of native aquatic and waterside plants. The design aimed to be a provocative contemporary interpretation of a British waterside habitat, intended to make viewers consider their own ecological and conservation attitudes.

By producing a stark industrial landscape, all physical contact with plants in this design had been removed. This design gave an insight into how plants may be viewed in years to come from behind bars in a Plant Zoo.

'Road to Nowhere' by Rossana Porta

This garden depicted a natural recovery from a derelict urban area, with native plants thrusting up through the tarmac to reclaim the space. Humans may wipe out species - even themselves - but plants will always find a way to survive. Nature will always return to areas man has finished spoiling, reclaiming them for their rightful occupiers.

Continue the tour

Back up to: Western Zone

Carry on to: Riverside Zone