London faces a growing concern with its scarcity of green spaces, a pressing issue from a public health perspective. Despite being adorned with publicly accessible parks, the city has the lowest levels of green space availability in the UK. While many view London’s gardens as merely beautiful retreats, these gardens have evolved far beyond their origins as, for instance, royal hunting grounds. Today, they are scientific institutions with scientific and legendary history, playing crucial roles in plant conservation and public education.
The Garden Museum
George Hudson
London’s Garden Museum has become a symbol of resilience in the city’s urban sprawl. Yet, beneath its serene exterior, the museum struggles with financial constraints and urban challenges that threaten its existence. With the Arts Council’s funding narrowly earmarked for specific projects, the museum finds itself in a straitjacket. “We can’t spend it how we want. We have to spend it how the funders want us to spend it,” reveals George Hudson, the Garden Museum’s Curator. This begs the question: How can an institution thrive when its financial lifeline is so tightly controlled?
For nearly two decades, the museum has maintained a local garden without owning the land, highlighting the absurdity of its predicament. The garden, though beautiful, is underutilised and outdated. The museum’s plans to build a pavilion for volunteers and apprentices face numerous obstacles. Urban developments like new junctions and cycling paths only make matters complicated. One must wonder: Are these so-called improvements really serving the community, or merely complicating the museum’s mission?
Preservation under siege
Repurposed church
The Garden Museum narrowly escaped demolition 40 years ago, thanks to the Trevis Kent Trust. “We have a long lease on this, the building will be here forever now,” insists George. However, the battle is far from over. As London’s skyline continually evolves, historical sites like the Garden Museum must fight tooth and nail to preserve their sanctity. In a city that’s perpetually under construction, can the past coexist with the future, or will it be buried beneath steel and concrete?
Costly innovations
The museum’s initiatives to create green spaces, even in the smallest urban nooks, are commendable yet costly. The price tag for a small sidewalk garden can reach a whopping £27,000 due to complex bureaucratic and logistical hurdles. This exorbitant cost raises suspicions regarding the city’s green agenda, painting this façade that masks inefficiency and red tape.
“Our efforts to maintain and develop green spaces face significant financial and bureaucratic challenges.” – George Hudson
The museum’s regional green space initiatives
Local garden right next to traffic junction
A ray of hope?
Beginning of a community garden
Despite the challenges, the Garden Museum thrives on its community’s spirit. The community healing garden, a collaboration with Lambeth Council, offers a much-needed sanctuary for residents. Programs like “Sow Grow Eat” provide young people with essential gardening and cooking skills, enabling a connection with nature. These grassroots efforts are plausible, but whether they’re enough to counterbalance the overwhelming urban pressures remains unknown.
People’s gardens on display
Looking beyond its own walls, the museum seeks collaborations with institutions like the Chelsea Physic Garden. The museum has high hopes on joint ticketing initiatives and conferences aimed to broaden public engagement. Upcoming events, such as a green space conference, are expected to address the challenges they currently face. Despite concerns that they would be another round of ineffective talks, George is optimistic that these collaborations will truly make a difference.
The public vs. Private sector dilemma
Operating within the charity sector, the Garden Museum faces a different reality compared to public parks like Hyde Park, which enjoy government support. This disparity highlights a critical issue: the sustainability of urban green spaces. Public parks flourish with government backing, while institutions like the Garden Museum struggle to survive on donations and self-funding. But how can we ensure equitable support for all green spaces, regardless of their funding model?
Chelsea Physic Garden
Another institution is likewise struggling for its survival. Surrounded by some of the wealthiest houses in London lies a mysterious garden hidden behind ancient brick walls in the heart of Chelsea. Entering through a small door, unchanged for centuries, you’re greeted by a lady at reception. Past the charming souvenir store brimming with plants and educational goodies, a world of greenery unfolds before your eyes, revealing many wonders to explore.
Within these four walls, over 4,000 plant species from around the world coexist in harmony, tended by dedicated gardeners and volunteers. Among these caretakers is Shivani Patel, the Youth & Community Engagement Manager, whose core focus is community outreach and accessibility for all at the Chelsea Physic Garden.
Accessibility for niche audiences
The Chelsea Physic Garden stands as a sanctuary not just for plants, but for people often overlooked by society. Patel’s role is essential in breaking down barriers that prevent underrepresented groups from experiencing the garden’s offerings. “The audiences I work with are the ones that are underrepresented at the garden. They’re not going to be a paying visitor,” Patel explains. These groups include young people aged 13 to 25, individuals in recovery from addiction or bereavement, ethnic minorities, refugees, asylum seekers, and non-English speakers.
Patel’s mission is clear: to make the garden accessible in every sense of the word. Financial constraints and a sense of alienation often keep these groups away, but through dedicated outreach and tailored programs, Patel ensures that everyone feels welcome.
“That’s kind of what my role is, to make the place kind of accessible in more ways than one to audiences that wouldn’t normally come here.” – Shivani Patel
Rooted in education
The garden’s mission extends beyond showcasing plant diversity. It’s about educating the public on why plants are vital for humankind. This is achieved through interpretive panels, events, and workshops. The garden’s educational outreach is divided among three key programs: community and youth engagement, school and family activities, and public events. Each program is designed to inspire different audiences, from biodiversity talks and kids’ workshops to guided tours that instil this sense of belonging.
A living, breathing museum
Unlike traditional museums, the Chelsea Physic Garden is a living entity. With a collection of over 4,000 plant species, including many endangered or near extinction, the garden is a sanctuary of botanical diversity. A dedicated team of gardeners and numerous volunteers ensure that this ecosystem thrives, who reflects the garden’s dual mission of plant conservation and historical preservation.
The challenges of urban preservation
Surviving in a rapidly urbanising city has not been without its struggles. The Chelsea Physic Garden is a listed garden, and its prime location has made it a target for commercial interests over the centuries. Fortunately, its transition to a charity and growing public affection have fortified its status. However, the shadow of urban growth hangs large, reminding us that this green haven’s survival was once in jeopardy.
Engaging the community
The garden’s programming extends far beyond its botanical collections. It transforms into an exhibition host space, celebrating diverse cultural themes through collaborations. Noteworthy initiatives include the Shubbak Festival, which engaged the Arabic community with exhibitions and poetry, and the annual Dash of Lavender festival for LGBTQ+ History Month. These events underscore the garden’s commitment to inclusivity, bringing varied audiences into its fold.
The garden’s thematic sections—medicinal plants, edible plants, and useful plants—tell compelling stories about human interaction with flora. Each section is curated to educate visitors on the multifaceted utility of plants, from their medicinal properties to their roles in construction and cosmetics. This journey through the garden reinforces the indispensable nature of plants without overwhelming visitors with information.
Their community garden is a key component of the garden’s outreach efforts. This space, described as a place where one can “have a little fun time in the frolic,” is maintained by individuals recovering from difficult challenges in their lives. It serves as both a therapeutic environment and demonstrates the potential healing power of green spaces.
Financial hurdles
Financial sustainability is a constant concern for the garden, necessitating creative revenue streams. “Renting out the garden for private events helps us continue our mission while generating necessary funds,” Patel explains. This balance between public good and financial viability is what allows the garden’s ongoing operations.
Despite its current stability, the Chelsea Physic Garden’s future is unfortunately tied to the priorities of its landowners, the Cadogan family. “While there is no immediate threat, the potential for shifts in priorities remains a constant undercurrent,” Patel reflects. The uncertainty remains and emphasises the greater challenge of protecting natural places in an ever-expanding urban context.
