Kew Gardens has announced an ambitious new garden that will open in July 2025.
The Carbon Garden aims to tell the story of carbon, the scale of climate change and the essential role that plants and fungi play in tackling the issue.
Visitors will be welcomed by swathes of herbaceous perennials, with the transition of colours inspired by climate stripes – data visualisation graphs that use a coloured stripe to represent the average annual temperature. An exposed coal seam will show fossilised plants, highlighting the connection between plants and fossil fuels.
Drought-tolerant and Mediterranean plants will form a dry garden, which shows how gardeners can adapt to a changing climate, and is illustrative of the plants that might be used in urban gardens in the future.
At least 26 trees will be planted in the Carbon Garden, highlighting their importance of absorbing carbon dioxide, providing shade and shelter, and filtering out pollutants. A rain garden and bioswale (which collects polluted storm water run-off, soaks it and filters out pollution) will illustrate the ways we can manage water flow, prevent soil erosion, reduce flooding, recharge moisture into the soil and support moisture-tolerant plants.
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A central pavilion is inspired by the symbiotic relationship between the plant and fungal kingdoms and is created using low-carbon materials. The forward-tilted canopy will direct rainwater into the rain garden, and sheltered space can be used to support school visits and community activities.
Richard Wilford, designer of the carbon garden and manager of garden design at RBG Kew says, "The Carbon Garden offers a unique opportunity to showcase our ongoing research, combining scientific insight with thoughtful design and beautiful planting to highlight the role of carbon in our lives, how it moves through the environment and how plants and fungi can help us tackle climate change. We hope the Carbon Garden inspires visitors to act and join us in shaping a more sustainable, resilient future for life on our planet."
The Carbon Garden is funded by Biffa Award through the Landfill Communities Fund, the People's Postcode Lottery and individual donations.
Main image: Artist's impression of the Carbon Garden/Mizzi Studio
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