Five fantastic examples of urban gardening

Five fantastic examples of urban gardening

Sometimes, the best things are those which are unexpected, such as a garden on the roof of a tower block!  Urban gardening is a movement sweeping the nation – here are just five of the most stunning examples of urban gardens.

1. O’Hare Airport’s ‘Vertical Farm’

At this Chicago airport, vertical PVC towers with bright lighting support a variety of plants, herbs and edible flowers that grow up and down the columns. It’s positively futuristic and very hi-tech.

2. Berges de Seine, Paris

In Paris, a floating garden of five islands is being built on the Seine, each with its own separate theme, linked by foot bridges – there’s even ‘mist island’ with its own aqua mist machines. This is urban gardening at its very best!

3. Skip Gardens, London

This sustainable urban garden is a moveable vegetable garden planted in skips at London’s Kings Cross, run by volunteers and local youngsters – it’s amazing!

4. Bosco Verticale, Milan

This project planned for 2013 will consist of one 80m and one 112m high tower planted in the business district of Milan, filled with 730 trees , 5,000 shrubs and 11,000 plants, bringing a hectare of forest to the heart of the city.

5. SkyFarm, Germany

This funky vertical gardening concept by Manuel Dreesman, a German designer, allows you to suspend acrylic planters in your urban space to grow vegetable and herbs, on your balcony or terrace. Ingenious!


On the plot - Italian vegetables

Why not try something new in the vegetable garden this year?  Italian vegetables have grown in popularity in recent years faring well in the UK climate. There are three we’d...
Read More

Gardening explained - marcescence

You may have noticed certain trees clinging on to their leaves throughout winter and well into spring until new replacements start to appear.  This holding on to last year's leaves...
Read More

Gardeners' notes - what to do in May

Plant out half hardy annuals Your greenhouse or window sills are probably groaning under the weight of annual plants that you’ve been caring for since sowing them a few months...
Read More