Forest Gardens at earth centre

Forest Gardens
Earth Centre landscape was designed by landscape architects Grant Associates. The company's objectives were to create a beautiful and inspiring landscape that is truly sustainable and educational.

Forest Gardens replicate forest conditions with plantings of native woodland species. A canopy of trees gives cover to shrubbery, which in turn gives cover to ground plants. Gridshells made of green oak covered with climbing plants take the place of the tree canopy until that has grown. The herbaceous plants are herbs for medicinal as well as culinary use and edible plants. Paths of crushed red brick twist and turn to lead the visitor through the gardens.

The forest gardens contain plants and trees with many uses and provide a habitat for many creatures and mini beasts. The gardens explore the richness of woodlands and intensive production. All the plants are edible or can be used for medicinal purposes.

There are trees including oaks, silver birch, rowan, hazel, apple, pear, willow.
There are shrubs including currant, gooseberry, elder, hawthorn, dog rose.
There are herbs including angelica, strawberry, lemon balm, mint, comfrey, rhubarb, ladies bedstraw, campion, woodruff, fennel, garlic mustard, cloudberry, feverfew, lungwort.
There climbers including woodbine, hops.

We looked hard for the parrot, but never found it!

This is a view of Forest Gardens looking along from the spiral path

Angelica. The roots, leaf and tops are used. They are used to treat digestive disorders, spasms, constipation, bruises, skin inflammations, leg ulcers & burns.

We found lemon balm, mint, silver birch, oak, chives, woodruff, currants...

In one of the little shelters. The shelters are made from green oak waste, a by-product from a factory. They are not treated with poisonous wood preservative, and so do not harm the local environment. They are fixed together using stainless steel, a long lasting material which does not require painting.

We learned about how plants can be used as medicines and for cooking. John told us a story about a man with a poisoned arm which he made better with some plantain.

Sitting inside the grid shell. Grid shells show an innovative use of sustainable timber supply from coppiced wood. Coppicing wood encourages bio-diversity. The grid shell makes a lovely outdoor classroom.