Exciting low maintenance herbaceous plantings for deep gravel mulches with James Hitchmough at London’s The Horniman Museum

James Hitchmough pours forth information, data, advice, opinion, and jokes (and the occasional swearword) in his inimitable style. Definitely the best lecturer on the garden circuit, this is an incredible view of cutting edge thinking about using perennials. The Grasslands Garden at Horniman Museum in South London, was designed by James to celebrate critically threatened, wild landscapes. His extensive research explores how wild landscapes can inform urban green space design to create stunning wild flower plantings that not only look good but also support local wildlife. The beds focus on African and North American planting, a large proportion of the plants used were produced by the Horniman garden team.

Soil is often a problem in planting, especially when extensive resources for weeding are not available. Increasingly in Germany for example, standard urban soil mixes for herbaceous planting are mainly just grit, and there is a good evidence base that this significantly reduces weed management costs, and enables long term persistence of plantings. Deep gravel mulches are not however only about reducing labour costs, such materials also create radically different conditions and allow the cultivation of plants that would otherwise be marginal in soil, so there are new creative possibilities too. This event at The Horniman explores the interaction between maintenance cost, and creative possibilities using not only the example of James’ experience at the Horniman Museum but also with plantings across the world, for example in China and Australia. This film includes illustrated lectures on both the African and American planting, as well as James walking around the beds discussing the plants with the group.

$15 - or equivalent at current exchange rate (£10-£11 UK, €12-€13) plus sales tax if charged. Members get 30% off with their discount code.