Growing Greener: Harnessing the power of plants
Diversity is the goal for the healthiest gardens of the future, believes Professor Nigel Dunnett. He shares with Arit Anderson how we can all harness the power of plants
Diversity is a hot topic for us all right now – as we figure out how to create a more diverse society for 21st century living. And it’s clear, says today’s guest, that diversity also holds the key to how we should garden in the future – because diversity lies at the heart of the healthiest plant communities.
Professor Nigel Dunnett has been studying plants and creating landscapes for decades and is convinced that the future of gardening is not just about us working with nature, rather than against it, but that observation of the plant world points the way.
Listen now to this fascinating discussion between Arit Anderson and Professor Nigel Dunnett:
About our guest
Professor Nigel Dunnett is a Chelsea Flower Show medal-winner and best-known for creating public spaces that incorporate wildflowers and native plants – including the Tower of London’s Platinum Jubilee Superbloom, the Queen Elizabeth London Olympic Park (with Dr James Hitchmough) and London’s Barbican Centre.
He's a plantsman, designer and pioneer of the new ecological approach, based on decades of experimental research, and is Professor of Planting Design and Urban Horticulture at the University of Sheffield. In 2016 Nigel was appointed as an Ambassador for the Royal Horticultural Society.
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Find out more:
- About Professor Nigel Dunnett's projects
- Find Nigel on Twitter and Instagram
- Watch Nigel speak about the future of gardens in the city
- Nigel's book: Naturalistic Planting Design
- Six wildflower plant combinations
- Gardening for beginners: combining plants
- How to create a mini meadow
Catch up on the first three series of the BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Podcast:
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