Planting at the College’s Univ North development is underway, bringing a flourish of greenery to the new buildings and open areas.

In the first two weeks of July, the gardening team planted around 1600 plants around the site. This included a mixture of herbaceous perennials, grasses and shrubs.

Plants such as oak-leaved Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia), Astrantia “Roma”, purple moor-grass “Transparent” (Molinia caerulea subsp. Arundinacea), eryngo “Pen Blue” (eryngium “Pen Blue”) will add colour and textures to the newly unveiled buildings and open spaces.

Head Gardener Tom Bartlett designed the planting schemes to give a long “bloom sequence” and provide the longest flowering season – something that is important both aesthetically and for pollinators. Many of the flowers with seedheads will continue to provide movement, texture and visual interest throughout autumn and winter.

The plants used at the Univ North development were sourced from a local supplier who provides peat-free products. Using peat-free plants and composts is a sustainable choice which supports the conservation of precious peat bog habitats and helps to combat climate change.

As well as plants, the site will also feature lawns and long grasses. Robbie Eason, Head of Grounds at Univ, has been working with the garden team to sow the first lawn next to Water Court West. Grasses have already been planted on either side of the Water Rill, the striking water feature that sits between Water Courts East and West, providing a sense of movement around the pool throughout the seasons.

You can read more about Univ North here.

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