London 2012 Garden prepares for world's plants

[richard]

More than 60,000 plants, grasses, herbs & flowers are growing in an Ashford nursery ready to be planted in the Olympic Park London 2012 Garden.

The London 2012 Garden will stretch for half a mile along the river between the Aquatics Centre and Olympic Stadium. In addition to the plants from across the globe, around 60,000 bulbs will be planted. To celebrate the UK’s passion for gardening, 250 species from across the world will be planted in the garden, in four temperate regions – Europe, the Americas, Asia and the southern hemisphere. There will also be picnic lawns and seating.

Thousands of plants are already growing at the nursery in Ashford and work is underway on the paths, drainage and seating. More than a quarter of the plants are not grown commercially in the UK, so an extensive investigation was required to track down rare seeds, cuttings and bulbs.

These have included hundreds of South African plants grown from a small collection in Ireland, as well as seeds collected in South Africa. Thousands of rare white chrysanthemums and tall Asian lilies, grown from clumps, have been provided by specialist UK display gardens.

Visiting the nursery, Olympic Delivery Authority Chairman John Armitt said: ‘The 2012 Garden will help create a colourful festival atmosphere right at the entrance to the Olympic Park during and after the Games. The riverside garden will celebrate Britain’s passion for gardens and plant collection, with plants from across the world helping to mark this global sporting event for generations to come.

The 2012 Garden will also celebrate the innovation and sterling work of UK horticultural companies that are working with us to create a new world-leading park.’

Read the full 2012 media release


Source
www.london2012.com

Image: ODA Chairman John Armitt (right) visits the nursery in Ashford, where many of the plants for the London 2012 Garden are being grown

[mikepeter]

Originally Posted by richard

More than 60,000 plants, grasses, herbs & flowers are growing in an Ashford nursery ready to be planted in the Olympic Park London 2012 Garden.

The London 2012 Garden will stretch for half a mile along the river between the Aquatics Centre and Olympic Stadium. In addition to the plants from across the globe, around 60,000 bulbs will be planted. To celebrate the UK’s passion for gardening, 250 species from across the world will be planted in the garden, in four temperate regions – Europe, the Americas, Asia and the southern hemisphere. There will also be picnic lawns and seating.

Thousands of plants are already growing at the nursery in Ashford and work is underway on the paths, drainage and seating. More than a quarter of the plants are not grown commercially in the UK, so an extensive investigation was required to track down rare seeds, cuttings and bulbs.

"More than 60,000 plant" Gosh! that's a huge amount man! Whatever, but that's really a nice thought on the part of of the organizers, The Olympic Delivery Authority, who are responsible for building the Olympic Park, knows that construction can have a huge impact on the environment, which is why they are doing everything they can to reduce the impact of their construction work for the people who live, work and play nearby. And I think to give up a message to the whole of the world, planting a plant can play an important role.

[richard]

Hi mikepeter and welcome to our UNOFFICIAL London 2012 Olympics forum.

This post was uploaded in November 2010 so it will be interesting to see how the 2012 Garden is progressing ahead of the games next year.

60,000 plants, grasses, herbs & flowers does sound like an awful lot, but there is quite a large area to plant out.

I can't wait until next year to travel down to the 2012 park to see it in full bloom.

[Poster123]

I know already, we’re going to witness an exuberant Olympic in 2012 in every sense.
The whole idea itself so majestic and you could actually imagine the arena with more than 50,000 species of plants from around the globe. This would be like icing on the cake.
Great going London...
Looking forward, to a ravishing sporting event..!

[mikepeter]

Originally Posted by Poster123

I know already, we’re going to witness an exuberant Olympic in 2012 in every sense.
The whole idea itself so majestic and you could actually imagine the arena with more than 50,000 species of plants from around the globe. This would be like icing on the cake.
Great going London...
Looking forward, to a ravishing sporting event..!

Do you really think that planting so many of plants are not the waste of time. I think rather than this they must look out in giving up fine touches to the stadium and the luxury which they must provide to the players. Planting about 60,000 plants is nothing else but just a waste of time man..this could be done afterwards.

[divingbrit]

Only yesterday I listened to Radio Fours Gardeners Question Time, (repeated this coming Sunday 14:00) They have been following the creation of the gardens, there are four main areas, ) over the last five years. Its been the biggest Horticultural project in this country ever, and its planned to not only hit its 'peak' on July 23rd next year, but then be a lasting legacy. (Hence the spring bulbs)
They have been planting somethings very late, so they flower very late for them, ie in July next year.
The English are very proud of their world renown for their gardens and lawns (the turf for the lawns was grown in Lincolnshire :-)) Visitors are to get a real 'wow' factor surprise next year.

[altinkum]

l just think this is amazing because more plant always needed anyway.

[abraun]

Unbebloodylievable... 60.000 different plants and flowers is an incredible amount! Stunning. Absolutely stunning. I am an absolute fan of flowers. They make our environment so much more beautiful by just happening to bloom. To me sending flowers is also one of the most beautiful ways to show someone affection or to bring him to a special place where wild flowers grow beautifully and freely! Amazing space.