Municipal planting Edinburgh


It struck me recently on my walk to work that the municipal planting goes through several phases on the 2 mile route from suburbs to the centre.  Near the start, I pass what used to be a nondescript triangle of ground covered by creeping ivy.  Recently this was cleared, and an amazingly pollinator-friendly collection of plants appeared.  I don't know if it is a council site, or if local residents have taken it in hand, but the planting includes very un-municipal Rudbeckia, Tiarella, Cranesbill Geranium, Astrantia, Helleborus, Verbena Bonariensis, Japanese Anemone...
 

A little further towards town, this traffic island is planted with soft grasses, and Sedum, plus something I can't identify from a distance.
 

Very nearby, however, the invasion of the bedding Geranium begins.
 

And by Princes Street Gardens, the bedding could be straight from the 1960s. 
 

Up on the Mound, which is the showpiece of Edinburgh's municipal bedding, there is a rather strange collection of plants this year, but it is an improvement on classic 1960s.
 



Comments

  1. really lovely! Thanks for taking the time to photograph and post so many pics. I know how this must resonate with a great gradener like you.

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    1. I didn't realise how many photos I'd taken until I came to post them...
      Thanks for the compliment. The North American response is to say 'thank you'. The British response is to say 'well actually I'm not making much headway at the moment for lack of time...'

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  2. Replies
    1. There is a very strong tradition of municipal planting in Britain. It does brighten up the city streets.

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  3. Hi Linda,
    What an interesting take on municipal bedding. I must say that I have never taken any notice of how it changes from area to area, but I will now. I think the Mound is my favourite.

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    1. The Mound planting must always be a difficult one for the Council gardeners. What to plant that will stand up to the exposed but very public site, and give good value with not too much tending for a whole summer.

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  4. Really interesting, what a great walk you have. I think central Edinburgh needs to take note! Juliex

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    1. I did wonder if they were being deliberately retro!

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  5. lucky you all, to be so entouré by these colors!
    perfect idea for a post
    will make me reflect on this during my city walks

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    1. Yes, please let us see the Brussels versions.

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  6. Thanks again for the pics. This kind of urban window dressing is so easy to take for granted until budgets get cut and priorities are shifted. We revisited a square in London where we lived for a time and found that it had sadly fallen into neglect.

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  7. It's been noticeable in some parts of Scotland that city councils have cut this budget quickly when they run into financial trouble. Aberdeen planted miles of roadside rose beds, which are now looking very scrappy. Of course roses are extremely high maintenance, whereas the more eco plantings like the sedums and grasses need less hands-on care.

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  8. beautful flowers!

    curlypurplepig.blogspot.com

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  9. Very interesting indeed - thanks for this! I've really been saddened to see so many of Aberdeen's rosebeds taken out, but if they can create beds like some of these, with plenty of food for butterflies and bees, I would be happy.

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  10. So very lovely! I am also duly impressed with your familiarity of all of those beautiful blooms! What a pleasant walk you must have.

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  11. Hey, that's pretty darn cool. Amazing how a little care and flowers make things feel so much better, innit?

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  12. Hi Linda! Found you via Christine too :) Funny how that happens......We had the most wonderful time in Scotland and will treasure our memories forever.

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  13. We had wild flower "meadow-ettes " all over town , too , this year . Much nicer than salvias !

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