We’re revitalising our flower beds with a new sustainable planting scheme.

It’s nearly two decades since Piet Oudolf’s innovative and much-praised scheme was designed and planted, and the plants have flourished and provided year-round interest for park visitors.

However, over time, some species have thrived at the expense of others, some have reached the end of their natural lives and others  were experimental at the time but proved  unsuited to the environment in the long-term.

The effects of climate change have also led to changes in horticultural thinking and practice, focussing on more sustainable planting, reduced water use,  use of recycled materials and biodiversity improvements.

Over the last two years, we’ve been working with Darryl Moore and his company Cityscapes on a new sustainable planting design. Darryl is an award-winning designer, whose work regularly features at the Chelsea Flower Show, and can also be seen all over the London Bridge area, including the recently replanted Queen Elizabeth Gardens and Druid Street areas.

The scheme uses a wide variety of native and European species (including some relocated existing plants) designed to be drought-tolerant, attractive to pollinators and planted in a mix of free-draining recycled sand and crushed concrete which will reduce the need for watering.

The work is phased over 2-3 years, with Phase 1 (concentrating on the two largest beds near Tooley Street) completed in March 2025. It has thrived and exceeded expectations in its first year.

Phase 2 was finished in March 2026, and included an upgrade to the irrigation system, allowing more control and reducing water use. The new plants are already benefitting from warm weather and spring rain, and are establishing well at the start of the summer. As with Phase 1, the plants will spread and re-seed over time, quickly filling any bare patches.

We’ll provide regular updates, so check back to see our new beds take shape over the next few months.

Images: © Potters Fields Park Management Trust