22 January 2008
Queen's Park takes part in urban bloom experiment
City of London-run Queen’s Park has been selected to participate
in a research project by Sheffield University and the Royal
Horticultural Society to find the best wildflower mixes for urban
areas.
Five small areas in the park have been identified as suitable
plots on which to carry out the experiment, which will run for five
years. Over that time, Professor James Hitchmough and his team from
the university’s renowned Department of Landscape will sow a
variety of wildflower seeds to create perennial meadows. These will
provide greater flower diversity, a much longer flowering season
and a richer ecosystem by attracting a wider range of insects than
currently exists.
The research team will charting not only how the new meadows
grow, but also their influence on the atmosphere in the park as
judged by its visitors.
Professor Hitchmough will visit the park on Wednesday 23 January
2008 when the first seeds will be sown.
Ends
Notes to editors:
A photographer will be present on 23 January. If you require
photographs, or for further information contact Lesley Mair at City
of London’s Press Office on 020 7332 1754 or email
lesley.mair@cityoflondon.gov.uk.
Queen’s Park:
Queen’s Park is one of a number of open spaces, parks and gardens
in and around London owned and managed by the City of London as
part of its commitment to sustaining a world class city. Each open
spaces is a unique resource, managed for the use and enjoyment of
the public and for the conservation of wildlife and historic
landscape. A full list of sites can be found on our website at
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/openspaces.