Vibrant Rooftop Garden in London, Painted Orange, Designed by Nigel Dunnett
Nestled in the heart of London, Peveril Gardens stands as a testament to adaptive reuse, cultural ambition, and community engagement. This rooftop community space, once a neglected urban expanse, has been transformed into a thriving communal garden area[1][3].
The design and planting of Peveril Gardens aim to integrate nature into the urban fabric, fostering community through shared green space. While specific plant species or detailed design themes may not be explicitly documented, the project's emphasis on cultural ambition and community suggests a focus on accessible, adaptable planting that supports community activities and ecological benefits[1][3].
Local resident and dancer, Richard Court, manages a group of volunteers who help maintain the garden for the benefit of the wider community. Notable plants in the garden include the evergreen perennial Astelia chathamica, with attractive, silvery, sword-shaped leaves, and a size of 1.2m x 80cm[2]. Another notable plant is Ficus carica, a tough plant that, given sun, will romp away and look after itself entirely, its size being 3m x 4m[2].
The garden features a cosmopolitan mix of plants from various continents. For instance, Dianthus carthusianorum is a drought-tolerant plant in the garden, with single, pink flowers and a height and spread of 60cm x 20cm[2]. Sedum rupestre is a hardy, self-seeding plant that makes an evergreen mat and can grow in tight nooks and crannies, with a size of 15cm x 60cm[2].
The garden also boasts more exotic species such as Dasylirion acrotrichum, an evergreen succulent sub-shrub with spiky, domed hemispheres and white, star-shaped flowers in summer, and a size of 1.2m x 1m[2]. Euphorbia mellifera is a large, domed shrub with honey-scented flowers and long, narrow, acid-green leaves, and a size of 2m x 2m[2]. Notably, Ficus carica has edible lobed leaves and fruits[2].
The design encourages self-seeders and blown-in plants, with the same gravel emulsion substrate used in the beds as in the brick-striped pathways. As a result, the garden is expected to develop its own dynamic over time, with certain areas thriving due to self-seeders.
The garden's mastermind, Nigel Dunnett, a resident of the area, is responsible for the design and maintenance of the garden. For more information about Nigel Dunnett's work, visit nigeldunnett.com.
Peveril Gardens is located at 140 Great Dover Street, London SE1 4GW. The garden is open for public viewing on Tuesdays to Fridays, from 10.30am to 5pm[1].
[1] Peveril Gardens [2] RHS Plants for Pollinators [3] The Guardian: Peveril Gardens
- The design and maintenance of Peveril Gardens, a community space transformed from a neglected urban expanse in London, is overseen by local resident and gardening enthusiast, Nigel Dunnett.
- Peveril Gardens, a thriving communal garden area, integrates nature into the urban fabric by featuring a variety of plants, including the evergreen perennial Astelia chathamica, Ficus carica, Dianthus carthusianorum, Sedum rupestre, Dasylirion acrotrichum, and Euphorbia mellifera.
- The garden design encourages self-seeders and blown-in plants, promoting a lifestyle that appreciates home-and-garden and fosters a community through shared green space.
- Besides being a testament to adaptive reuse and cultural ambition, Peveril Gardens also offers edible plants like Ficus carica, whose lobed leaves and fruits can be enjoyed, adding a unique aspect to the gardening experience.
