A pop up garden to stimulate your senses in Northbank

For Mental Health Awareness Month, in celebration of Chelsea Fringe Festival and with the Jubilee just around the corner, The Northbank BID has brought a sensory garden to the local community.

The pop up includes features and greenery that stimulate senses and provides a calming spot to hideaway from the London hustle and bustle. The focal point is a black architectural greenhouse dressed in beautiful foliage and woven ivy filled lampshades, providing the perfect photo back drop. The garden also includes a zen garden, hammocks and a bubble machine.

The Sensory Garden was designed by Studio Dandelion, a creative design and build studio set up by Hannah Niskanen and Vanessa Lunn. Hannah is a spatial designer and keen gardener. Vanessa Lunn is a florist and stylist. Together they have over 20 years’ experience creating beautiful and imaginative spaces.

Garden Inspiration

The garden design and plant selection was centred around a sensory exploration of bee friendly plants and flowers. The City as we know isn’t the best environment for wildlife to grow, with so little space for greenery. Springtime is crucial for bumblebees and by choosing varieties of plants that are rich in both nectar and pollen such as Jasmine, Lavandula, Thymus and Digitalis Dalmatian, Studio Dandelion ensured a lifeline for the young bumblebees, some of which come out from hibernation as early as February. Bumblebees can see the colour purple more vividly than any other colour which also swayed the selection of plants.

Sustainability

Following the activation, some of the plants will remain at the charity's courtyard while the other plants will be distributed by Letting Grow, a not for profit which Hannah Niskanen cofounded with her partner Ross Walker. They teach young people how to grow and cook vegetables with the aim of getting inner city kids out in nature. Letting Grow work with a network of schools and on several community projects, who they will donate the plants to.

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