CHELSEA 2009 NEWS - 'Future Nature' innovative show garden

Future proofing with plants

How do we 'future proof' our gardens in an era of dramatically variable and changing climate?

How do we maximise the potential of nature and wildlife and incorporate them into our high density cities?

How can we make buildings and their surroundings work positively for the environment?

How can we make gardens exciting and educaional for future generations?

'Future Nature' has the answers.

This May, for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the Green City initiative is co-sponsoring the 'Future Nature' show garden.

Future Nature is designed by Dr Nigel Dunnett, Adrian Hallam and Chris Arrowsmith of ARK DM (www.arkdm.com) and encapsulates many of the multi-functional benefits that plants bring to society.

Future Nature uses the beauty and richness of plants and vegetation to point the way forward to a world where gardens and green spaces are not only places for relaxation and recreation, but are also essential life-saving and environment-enhancing elements in our towns and cities. Places where rainwater is captured and cleaned; where wildlife flourishes; places with healthy air and a comfortable climate; energy-saving places, using limited resources to the full.

The role of green roofs in addressing the urban heat island; the reduction of storm water run-off; the benefits of urban planting in a variety of sometimes unlikely places to enhance both wildlife and human environments and the climate change mitigation benefits of plant-based solutions such as the reduction of the internal cooling load for buildings in summer – it’s all part of ‘Future Nature’ which will be in the spotlight over the five days of the show which, for 2009 aims to highlight ‘Sustainability’.

For more detail on the garden design click here >

To find out more about the philosophy behind the garden and the design team click here >

Look out for it on TV and in the press or better still come and see it.

Other sponsors are Yorkshire Water and the Sheffield University Alumni, who share Green City aims. Dendale, Galemain and M&SE Ltd are also contributors.