GeoffYou may remember that for the last few years we’ve taken part in Sloane in Bloom – a large scale floral fashion show in the Sloane shopping area, in support of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Last year, our beautiful botanical British woodland – created from the precious botanicals in our skincare range – scooped top prize. So after an exciting week of sharing the display, as Environmental Advisor at Liz Earle, it was my job to find new homes for the plants!
Trees for Cities are a charity dedicated to creating green spaces in urban areas, planting new woodlands, community gardens and even edible playgrounds for the whole community to enjoy. Last Saturday, I travelled with Jennifer to one of their projects in Southwark, London where they were installing an ‘edible garden’ at Sunray Avenue estate.
Before beginning a project, public consultation events are held in the community so that everyone is involved in having a say in what is done, what is planted and what the finished project will look like. This particular edible garden project involved planting fruit and nut trees, herbs, vegetables and shrubs, so we decided to donate the hazel coppices used in last year’s Sloane in Bloom event to the project, which will eventually grow and produce hazelnuts.
One of the great things about Trees for Cities is the enthusiasm they have for connecting residents of urban areas with the land that they live on – it was fantastic to see people of all ages literally getting stuck into the thick London clay soil and having a great time!
And when the day has finished, Trees for Cities leave behind trees and plants for all the community to look after and enjoy, and residents have an area to be proud of.
So now that we’ve planted last year’s trees, we’re busy planning for this year’s Sloane in Bloom. Each May, it gives us the chance to share with you our passion for botanical ingredients in another context – the garden. And it’s exciting to know from the beginning that many of the plants and trees we’re using this year are destined to find fantastic homes with Trees for Cities. Blooming marvellous!
If you’d like to visit us during Sloane in Bloom this year, make sure you pencil the 22nd to the 30th of May in your diary.