(Photo: Colin Wing)
Open:
Sunday 14:00–17:00
Description:
In 2010 the SLBI celebrates its centenary. For 100 years the institute has been fulfilling its remit to inspire local people to find fascination in the plant world. As part of the celebrations we are re-creating the ‘living museum of strange visitors’, as the new garden was described in a newspaper article in 1912. The writer marvelled at the profusion of wildflowers allowed to flourish in the garden, and this tradition continues.
Looking to the future, new projects include a dye-plant bed, a moss trail and an area of rare cornfield wildflowers. A specially commissioned centenary mosaic has been designed for the garden by Emma Biggs, and there will also be an exhibition of botanical illustrations.
SLBI supports London’s smallest botanical garden, which is densely planted with over 500 labelled species grown in a formal layout of themed borders. Traditional medicinal herbs grow beside plants used in current pharmaceutical research. Ferns, carnivorous plants, British natives, scented plants, monocots, and drought-tolerant plants are all featured, alongside rare trees and shrubs from the southern hemisphere. At the heart of the garden is the pond, supporting native wetland plants and providing a home for frogs and newts.
Head gardener
Sarah Davey
Activities:
Unusual plants and botanical jewellery for sale. Exhibition of botanical illustrations. Home-made teas.
Entrance:
323 Norwood Road
Nearest postcode: SE24 9AQ
Sells tickets.
Buses:
68, 196 322, 468, 2, 201, 415, 432
Station:
Tulse Hill
Access:
Narrow paths
Dogs:
Working assistance dogs only
Further information:
Nearby Gardens (click on names for details):
Last updated: 26/05/2010