Newport Parish Council have worked in partnership with the Isle of Wight College to produce a long term solution for the flower beds in St James Square.
A total of 11 Level 2 Horticulture students from the College planted the new beds last Wednesday (22nd June).
Rob Mew, Curriculum Manager and Horticultural Lecturer at The Isle of Wight College said:
“The raised beds in St James Square have traditionally been planted with successional bedding, in other words twice a year the beds have been planted for spring bedding then again for summer bedding. This is generally expensive and time consuming, although the tradition of amenity planting in public spaces is an expectation of the general public and they soon notice when it disappears or looks untidy.
“Newport Parish Council approached me to see if the Isle of Wight College Horticulture students and staff could help prepare a permanent planting scheme. I came up with a list of plants which provide all year interest with a particular focus on summer, but also the plants chosen needed to be selected for tolerance to the site being that it is sunny and exposed and will require some but not too much maintenance”.
The plants selected for the center of Newport are ‘Mediterranean’ – although not all plants are from this region, they tolerate the conditions and many already thrive on the Island quite happily. Plants were sourced from nurseries but several were propagated and grown-on by the students, plus the agapanthus were kindly donated by Steve and Rosie Bonsey, owners of Nunwell House in Brading.
Rob continued:
“The planting style is a little different in that the mix of perennials and shrubs are planted in stripes which will grow out and knit together creating an interesting scheme. The plants will display a mix of interest from foliage and shape to colourful flowers which will attract insects.
Article continues below this advertisement “The public showed a lot of interest while we were planting, asking questions and commenting on how nice it looked. They seemed very pleased with the result”.
Cllr Jones-Evans, Parish ward member for the area, said:
“The new planting is stunning and perfect fits our needs of a sustainable and drought friendly scheme. Having the expert knowledge of Rob and his students has been invaluable and another great collaboration between the IW College and Newport Parish Council”.
