Environment

We work to maintain an ornamental wildlife garden, as a retreat from the stress of the city for local residents, workers and other visitors – and to provide an experience of nature in the centre of the city available nowhere else locally – it is often described by visitors as an OASIS.

Being on a former bombsite, the garden sits on top of rubble filled cellars, and has only very thin rubble-filled soil.  Being in the centre of London does mean the garden benefits from an urban heat island effect – it is sheltered and warm and it is unusual to get many days of hard frost in winter.  In the South-East of England our average annual rainfall is under 60cm and going months without proper rain is not uncommon. The garden is maintained using sustainable techniques and an innovative approach to wildlife gardening.  We use plants that grow reliably in dry conditions, that look good all year round and that will be of maximum benefit to wildlife.  We create many different habitats to encourage as many species as we can. We work to showcase sustainable gardening techniques.

We are often asked how we get the garden to grow so well and are often told how much hard work it must be. In truth, our approach is rooted in a belief that gardens should be naturally low maintenance and worry-free, and we always keep in mind that…