London 2012 Garden prepares for world's plants

ODA Chairman John Armitt (right) visits the nursery in Ashford, where many of the plants for the London 2012 Garden are being grown

The London 2012 Garden will stretch for half a mile along the river between the Aquatics Centre and Olympic Stadium. In addition to the plants from across the globe, around 60,000 bulbs will be planted. To celebrate the UK’s passion for gardening, 250 species from across the world will be planted in the garden, in four temperate regions – Europe, the Americas, Asia and the southern hemisphere. There will also be picnic lawns and seating.

Thousands of plants are already growing at the nursery in Ashford and work is underway on the paths, drainage and seating. More than a quarter of the plants are not grown commercially in the UK, so an extensive investigation was required to track down rare seeds, cuttings and bulbs.

These have included hundreds of South African plants grown from a small collection in Ireland, as well as seeds collected in South Africa. Thousands of rare white chrysanthemums and tall Asian lilies, grown from clumps, have been provided by specialist UK display gardens.

Visiting the nursery, Olympic Delivery Authority Chairman John Armitt said: ‘The 2012 Garden will help create a colourful festival atmosphere right at the entrance to the Olympic Park during and after the Games. The riverside garden will celebrate Britain’s passion for gardens and plant collection, with plants from across the world helping to mark this global sporting event for generations to come.

The 2012 Garden will also celebrate the innovation and sterling work of UK horticultural companies that are working with us to create a new world-leading park.’

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