Plane and Simple

As the Museum drifts into November and the year of 2011 draws to a close, there seems to be no indication that winter is at our door step.  The air is mild, the leaves are desperately hanging on and there is no sign of any frosts signalling the end of autumn, thus spiralling the natural world into a state of dormancy.

We are taking full advantage of this mild weather and getting vast amounts of gardening completed.  The London Plane tree leaves provide us all with a test of mental and physical endurance to keep our spirits positive.  The trees provide the team with a fresh pile to be swept up each day so a big thank you to the trees!

However, the Garden Museum has recently set up a partnership with Kensington Gardens, The Royal Parks and Enterprise plc.  Due to the waxy properties of the Plane tree leaves, they are impossible to break down and due to the vast number that we collect, the museum just does not have the facilities to accommodate and compost the material, and we unfortunately had to send it to landfill.  However, Kensington Gardens has a huge composting site within the grounds in which all green material from the central parks is processed, composted, and put back into the grounds.  They have kindly offered to collect our waste material every week and provide us with fresh compost. 

A big thank you must go out to

Ray Brodie, Park Manager, Kensington Gardens

Theresa Short, Assistant Park Manager, Kensington Gardens

Bennie Connolly, Enterprise Contracts Manager, Kensington Gardens

The Royal Parks and Enterprise plc partnership is a powerful step in promoting green infrastructure and sustainability for London, and setting an example to the world.

Making A Beeline For It!

Check out the new Beegate Estate at the Garden Museum...

http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/5685

Knot 4 A While...

The crème de la crème of the Garden Museum is undoubtedly the 17^th century style knot garden.  However, some elements of the design have become redundant as time goes on.  I am aware that many keen admirers of the garden will have noticed that the quality of the knot is not what it used to be.

However, there is a change on the horizon, and over the coming year, we will aim to restore the knot garden to how it was originally designed.  One feature which we have put back into the knot garden are the four box topiary pyramids, situated at each of the four corners.  This striking feature of the knot garden has been absent for some years due to over clipping in the past.  Moreover, to recreate this pyramid again would take many years, due to the slow growing habit of the Box hedge (Buxus sempervirens ‘Suffructicosa’).

Therefore, the museum could not wait any longer and we purchased the four box pyramid topiaries.  The volunteers and I got to work and planted them in the desired positions.  This gives an instant visual effect and enhances the overall appearance of the knot garden,

Over the years we will train the box to grow into the shape that was originally designed.  It will be a slow process but will be worth it in the end.  For those of you who remember what the knot garden was once like, or for those of you who are simply intrigued, then come on down to the museum and pay us a visit and let the team know what you think.