Beech Garden, Barbican
A perfect example of sustainable planting at it's best. The beech garden is a new horticultural approach for the Barbican Estate. Garden Designer Nigel Dunnett, best known for his plantsmanship at the Olympic Park, has created a dynamic new roof garden in an existing footprint of raised beds that sets new standards for urban planting. This beautiful, ecological, low-maintenance, low cost-garden has extensive areas of mixed perennials, grasses and bulbs, all adapted to tolerate the exposed conditions on the site. Plant mixes have been chosen to provide dramatic colour with two or three plant species making a big impression at any one time. The plants are clump forming rather than spreaders and provide interesting winter seed-heads and textures. Amelanchier - a multi-stemmed small tree and shrubs extend the interest throughout the year.
