vertical

Of course, if this all seems familiar, its a similar idea to our own beach hut proposal (see the projects section). So we were very pleased to be invited down to the public launch and have the chance to talk things over with the artist.

L: so how many different plant species are there?

J: how long have you got! a couple of dozen maybe. this one here is wild strawberry

L: are you hedging your bets, seeing which ones survive and which don’t?

J: well, you have to, but thats whats interesting about the project. some might die out and others will spread


		vertical gardens

		These ‘green sculptures’ by artist/metalworker John Packer line part of London Rd in Derby town centre. They are vertical gardens, and their steel mesh exterior acts as a trellis, through which specially chosen plants will grow. A second ‘cage’ of steel inside each tower holds the gravels and aggregates in which the plants will row. Underneath each ‘bed’ of gravel is an impressive series of substrates - from brick dust to rockwool to polystyrene - chosen for their ability to retain nutrients and water. Through the whole thing winds a spiralling irrigation system, fed by the water mains below the pavement. The project has been very well researched, with native cliff growing plant species especially chosen to match the microclimates at different heights and seperate faces of the sculpture. Also, it is anticipated that wild seed will be blown into the gravel and take root there. There is the possibility that the plants will attract local insect and bird life, and nesting boxes have been placed within the towers so that this might be encouraged.

L: and unexpected plants could start to colonize the gardens too. is there a maintenance plan to deal with especially aggressive ones?

J: well, thats up to the council...

L: i kind of hope not. the uncertainty about what exactly is going to happen next is whats most interesting.

J: the chance that they’ll develop their own ecology..

L: the town centre setting, did that force you to choose more ornamental species, to meet peoples expectations?

J: i think we’d have chosen flowering species anyway, i mean you want it to be attractive

L: what i mean is, with the beach hut, all we started with were the stones and the wire - so that sand would be blown in and the process would start from scratch - be entirely random

J: that could take years though. i see what you mean , theres definitly the expectation here for something to happen here right away. but why shouldnt there be?

L: sure, its the taxpayers money. and for what its worth i don’t think the street looked as good without them

J: thanks!


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