Five of the plants starring in British Rainforest Garden
Five of the plants starring in British Rainforest Garden: The Wildlife Trusts are sharing the names of five of the plants starring in their British Rainforest Garden, to inspire gardeners everywhere to embrace shade in their own gardens. The garden will be unveiled at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show from Tuesday 20th to Saturday 24th May.
The Wildlife Trusts’ show garden is funded by Project Giving Back and is part of a 100-year project, supported by the UK’s leading insurer, Aviva, to restore lush temperate rainforests to the wet western fringes of the British Isles to help wildlife and tackle climate change.
Five of the plants starring in British Rainforest Garden
These rich, shady rainforests once covered a fifth of Britain, absorbing carbon and soaking up rainfall, but now they’ve been reduced to 1% across scattered patches of land.
According to the show garden’s designer, Zoe Claymore, bringing the dappled shade we love so much in our native forests into our gardens will be good for nature and create peaceful retreats for humans, too.
Zoe Claymore says:
“Creating this show garden has reinforced for me the beautiful richness and tranquillity of our native forests. When it comes to our gardens, the key is to embrace what’s natural and local. If you have shade in your garden or even on a tiny balcony, don’t fight it, lean into it and enjoy it. It’ll save you time, money and effort if you choose plants which love their locations.”
Five of the plants native to British rainforests and featured in the garden are:
- Silver birch: A single silver birch can support up to 300 insect species. If you buy a bare root tree, plant between November and March. If you have a smaller garden, a good alternative is a crab apple.
- Cypress-leaved plait-moss: This pretty, tiny moss is one of several different varieties being featured in the garden. It likes free draining soil, so is great for rocks and crevices and if it finds a shady and wet spot, it will spread. Make sure any moss you buy hasn’t been taken from wild places.
- Maidenhair spleenwort: This is one of many native ferns to choose from and another great choice would be the Male-fern. Be aware of size when planting to ensure your ferns work well with flowers in the border.
- Cow parsley: This will do best in partial rather than full shade, so try to place it in an area that receives some sun.
- Foxgloves: With their tall fronds of bell-shaped flowers, these wood-loving plants will add a shot of colour and are a magnet for bees. Just remember not to eat them!
The Wildlife Trusts’ British rainforest programme manager, Stan Smith, says:
“British rainforests play a crucial role in addressing the twin nature and climate crises by storing carbon in the trees and soil, reducing flood risk, slowing the flow of water into towns and villages and providing safe homes to many varieties of our native wildlife, from birds such as wood warblers to much-loved pine marten and red squirrels.
“Our RHS Chelsea show garden is creating a wonderful opportunity for us to talk about the importance of these forests for all of our futures – and we hope a new generation of gardeners will be inspired by our mission and learn to love moss and shade.”
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