Urban Hedgerow, Cayley School, London E14

The school pick up zone for Cayley School had a large area of cement block paving, three trees (planted by Tower Hamlets council) but little else in the way of living green.  We were asked to suggest seating and planting for the area which would be robust, sustainable and engaging for the children and their parents. It also needed to fit a small funding grant and be very low maintenance.

A chunky linear bed planted with whips of native hedging now links two of the trees and forms an Urban Hedgerow. It has been under-planted with wild flowers, including Primroses, Cow parsley and Wild Mallow.

We designed the accompanying information board to show the biodiversity of the hedgerow and inspire everyone to identify a leaf or any number of insects who will visit. A desolate spot is now an important wildlife link to other green spaces nearby.