Borough Market Living Wall
Located right in the heart of London, Borough Market is one of the best-known street markets around. Open seven days a week, the food market’s atmospheric halls and passageways are a pleasure to explore.
This wall has transformed an unused access stairwell on the viaduct on Stoney Street, right in the heart of Borough Market bringing life, colour, form and nature to the local community.
Our initial work involved removing two sections of the wall that were struggling and initiating a new organic design to enhance the wall facing the market. During the replanting phase, we’ve encountered many existing plants covered in dust and pollution particulates which proves that the wall is helping to cleanse the air in this popular and busy area.
Very careful attention was paid to the new plant selection in order to create a wall that would thrive and flourish in that microclimate. We have selected plants that are less prone to insect problems and which are also robust and fully hardy. That is an important choice that will avoid maintenance issues for years to come.
“Our ‘Verdant Viaduct’ vertical garden on Stoney Street is a much loved patch of green in Bankside. Like any good garden it is always evolving and growing, and plant selection need tweaking and testing. Meristem have been excellent at responding creatively to the unique opportunities of this iconic location, and working with us to ensure that the wall continues to delight the thousands of people who walk past it every day.”
The planting scheme includes Convolvulus arvensis, Erysimum (‘Bowles’s Mauve), Pachysandra terminals, Carex evergold and Polystichum setiferum. To provide some additional seasonal variation we’ve added Wild Strawberry (Fragaria vesca) and are planning to gradually add some berries and herbs that require little space to grow. That will offer extra colour whilst also creating a natural connection with the market.
Our visits to the site reviews that the wall is continuously enhancing the public realm, making it a pleasant and relaxing space for thousands of people walking around the market.
