Great to hear that the RHS is creating a major Garden Energy feature, the first of its kind in the UK, to illustrate the impact of climate change on the garden, from 1950 to 2050, and how to ameliorate its effects.
The RHS commissioned Sarah Eberle to create the design at the 2009 Hampton Court Palace Flower Show (7th – 12th July 2009) as part of the RHS drive to get everyone to consider the environment and make a difference in their outside space.
In zone one the RHS and Met Office feature takes visitors on a garden journey spanning 100 years. As time passes plants too tender to survive the 1950s winter are introduced, lawns decrease as water becomes scarcer, and by 2050 a dry garden shows the extreme effect climate change could have.
In the next zone three wind turbines tower over bio fuels, ground source heat pumps and solar power initiatives to demonstrate the role that green energy could play in the garden in future. Here there is willow and hazel coppicing for bio-mass fuels, water management schemes and energy-supporting crops. Other ideas to be more environmentally responsible are porous paving and new energy conserving insulation, including sheep’s fleece on buildings and everything you want to know about green roofs.
The third zone is a garden setting where a ‘grow your own’ plot includes wormeries, composting, bird-feeding and bee-keeping. Information about RHS research aims to help gardeners be more sustainable, avoid contributing to climate change and to reduce its effects.
http://www.rhs.org.uk/Learning/Publications/pubs/garden0609/HamptonCourt.htm
March 4th, 2010 at 12:32 am
Spectacular, I’ve been scouring for something this good. Count me subscribed!
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