LANDSCAPING SERVICES
TRANSFORM YOUR PROJECT WITH A
‘ SUPERBLOOM ’
USING PICTORIAL MEADOWS SEEDS AND TURF
Patchwork Quilt
Pictorial Meadows , as part of the not-for-profit Green Estate CIC , were thrilled to have been selected to supply wildflower seeds for the Platinum Jubilee ‘ Superbloom ’ at the Tower of London . From Spring 2022 , 20 million carefully selected seeds from 29 varieties , and three turf mixes , were sown in the Tower ’ s famous moat , creating a vibrant sea of flowers which created continuously evolving colours and patterns from June to September . Alongside the tailor-made seed mix produced for the Jubilee celebrations , three of the nine turf mixes currently produced by Pictorial Meadows were used ; Treasure Chest , Patchwork Quilt and Indian Summer .
The project was conceived by Historic Royal Palaces ( HRP ) – the charity that cares for the Tower of London – and working with University of Sheffield Professor of Planting Design and Urban Horticulture , Nigel Dunnett , to bring the project to life . The design produced both the stunning beauty of naturalistic designed meadows to the Tower , as well as providing a significant new resource for pollinators and seed eating birds right in the centre of London .
Nigel Dunnett , Professor of Planting Design and Urban Horticulture , University of Sheffield , said “‘ We hope that the effect of being surrounded by a sea of colourful , sparkling and vibrant flowers will continue to release feelings of pure liberated joy in visitors to the ‘ Superbloom ’ – it is such a powerful , emotional and celebratory experience . We ’ ve undertaken a lot of testing and trials to ensure that we delivered dramatic and beautiful impressionistic blends of colours , a long and continuous sequence of flowering , and a wonderful place for pollinating insects .“
Professor Nigel Dunnett took his inspiration from his experience of being in the real superbloom of 2019 in Southern California , where whole mountain ranges change colour with flowers . The experience of being surrounded by millions of flowers and seeing the rare and special nature of these superblooms had a transformative effect and it was there that the idea of creating a similarly rare and special event in the moat in 2022 , was born .
Pictorial Meadows was founded by Professor Dunnet nearly 20 years ago following an extensive research programme . Pictorial Meadows is renowned for its work on prestigious meadow landscapes and visitor attractions and this innovative seed and turf company first shot to prominence after the public fell in love with their meadows surrounding the Olympic Stadium in 2012 .
Since then , they have continued to develop a range of meadows that offer astounding colour and reliability , well suited to urban environments , and helping to support local biodiversity , plus the emotional benefits of being surrounded by nature are well documented .
“ Pictorial Meadows is able to bring engaging , adaptive and resilient planting schemes into our urban environments , and I think ‘ Superbloom ’ demonstrates this and hopefully inspires others to do the same ” states Dan Cornwell , Commercial Landscape Director at Pictorial Meadows .
The ‘ Superbloom ’ concept was originally applied in parks and housing areas , as well as along highways in Sheffield , before gaining national and international recognition at sites including Hampton Court Palace , Kensington Palace , and Hillsborough Castle .
With Pictorial Meadow ’ s unique range of meadow seed and turf mixes , you can create your own
‘ Superbloom ’ for 2023 . To find out more about Pictorial
Meadows , visit them online at www . PictorialMeadows . co . uk or call to speak with one of their meadow experts on 0114 276 2828
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