The concrete jungle turns green again
Community involvement is another important aspect to the competition, and this year we have been able to involve more voluntary groups, schools and business organisations in the Floral Trail.
One of the most inspirational projects is the planting of a wild flower meadow on a piece of overgrown ground by children at St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School in Dudley Road.
As well as making the area look more attractive, the meadow will be a haven for insects, encouraging the children to learn more about nature, even in an inner-city environment.
Reflecting Birmingham as a community in the Floral Trail is a challenge, albeit an exciting one. In a village, it’s easy to see what a community is like – it’s harder in a big city like Birmingham, where there are lots of different elements: a business community, inner-city schools, restaurants and places of worship being just a few examples.
So our entry is about what you make of a community like this. It’s a great opportunity for the public sector and other groups to work together.
It’s also a great opportunity to show that whilst floral arrangements are lovely to have in a city, we can also green up Birmingham with sustainable, low-maintenance planters, using plants such as palms and agapanthus that are equally attractive.
If Birmingham does well in both the regional and national competitions, it will be good news for the city on several fronts.
Not only will it improve Birmingham’s image nationwide, it will show that we have our finger on the pulse when it comes to protecting and sustaining our environment.
There are so many projects that could have long-term ecological benefits. The “dry garden,” created on a neglected patch of ground behind Paradise Forum using recycled building waste and minimal planting, is a great example: every city has grungy bits of land that you can’t do much with.
However, if this project works, then it could be repeated right across the city, helping to transform neglected pockets of land into stylish and environmentally sound spaces.
Perhaps the most important aspect of our Floral Trail is its potential to educate and excite children: the more we can do, in a fun way, to help children understand about plants and nature and how to protect the environment and enjoy the great outdoors, the better it will be for Birmingham.
