A stunning garden installation in Manchester City Centre made up of plants from the growing spaces of people across the city has today been unveiled as part of the Manchester Flower Festival.
The garden highlights the collective impact that each plant, windowsill, balcony and community garden in Manchester has in boosting biodiversity, tackling climate change, and making us happier and healthier
It was curated by Hubbub as part of In Our Nature, a city-wide programme that aims to make it easier for people in Manchester to take practical and meaningful action on climate change, at home and in their communities.
Entitled “Putting people and plants on a podium” the garden reveals stories from residents and community groups across the city. Each plant has a QR code to scan and learn more – from how they got into growing, a video tour of their growing space, or information about how other people can get involved in their community garden.
Contributions to the garden include:
A plant from Green Fingered George’s Garden – George is a young RSPB ambassador and keen gardener, and also known as @GreenFingeredGeorge on Twitter and Instagram, where he shares top tips and info on the importance of gardens to help biodiversity to thrive in urban areas. His plant is from his garden in Stalybridge that he and his Dad have been working on ever since he was born.
A mini garden pond to highlight the importance of ponds to support biodiversity and showcase the new In Our Nature garden on the Castlefield Viaduct, that highlights the link between our connection to nature and climate action. The garden on the famous viaduct features a reflection pond, alongside a seating area and native plants.
A mint plant from Ossory Street Community Allotment. This overgrown allotment was transformed into a community learning plot, for local residents to learn about growing and gardening. The nearby adult education centre are regular visitors and hold an English conversation club here where they usually have a pot of mint leaves steeping during our volunteer sessions as it makes a delicious tea!
A square of sedum from Printworksi Green Roof. Sedum is a great alternative to use in gardens and roofs as it’s very low maintenance and can support biodiversity. The green roof on the top of Printworks will soon be open for workshops and community sessions run by In Our Nature and Sow the City.
In Our Nature brings together a delivery partnership made up of Manchester Climate Change Agency, Hubbub, Groundwork Greater Manchester, Amity CIC, The Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, who will work alongside Manchester City Council’s Neighbourhood Team.
Gavin Ellis, Co-Founder and Director at Hubbub said: “We’re aiming to show Manchester Flower Festival visitors how the city’s residents have got into gardening, inspire them to give it a go and perhaps join one of the fantastic community projects helping to green Manchester. We’d also love to hear from local community groups looking for support to deliver their own community-led projects to engage people on climate issues.”
Thanks to £2.5m in funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, the In Our Natureprogramme will be running for the next 3 years and the team is looking for partners, projects, and collaborators to help shape and inform future projects.
