Diversification of grassland in urban greenspace with planted, nursery-grown forbs: Fid-Bau Portal

Diversification of grassland in urban greenspace with planted, nursery-grown forbs

Hitchmough, James

Landscape architecture is increasingly involved in management-oriented approaches to the development of more stimulating urban greenspace. This often involves modest capital budgets and interventions, often in conjunction with community groups, over long periods of time. An example of this process is the diversification of grasslands in urban parks through the addition of dicotyledenous herbaceous perennials (forbs). Three experiments were established at RHS Harlow Carr between 1996 and 2003 to investigate the establishment of cultivated forbs in urban meadow grassland. The 25 forb species tested responded as ‘increasers’, ‘decreasers’ or one of two intermediate categories. Mulching did not improve establishment in terms of aboveground dry weight or survivorship beyond that of a meadow-free gap of the same size. A meadow-free gap improved establishment in the first year but, in subsequent years, only for species well fitted to the site and the meadow cutting regime. Many ‘decreaser’ species were extinct three years after planting. Observations are made on other factors affecting establishment and persistence, and the practicality of planting as a means of producing visually dramatic meadow grassland in urban greenspace.