The next project in the Paradise Park gardens renovations is our new Jubilee Tree Garden. When we became aware of the Plant a Tree for the Jubilee nationwide campaign we decided, as a gardens, that we would like to take part. With the renovations ongoing, this seemed an opportunity to do more than just plant a tree somewhere. Due to the significance of the occasion – celebrating the longest serving British monarch, and recognising her incredible duty to her country for the last 70 years – we wanted to create something that will stand the test of time and will remain for years to come. It also felt like an opportunity to involve the community, as the Jubilee itself will be a community celebration, and so the idea of the Jubilee Tree Garden was born.
Although we’d decided to create a Jubilee Tree Garden, the positioning and structure of the area wasn’t decided until a few weeks ago! We chose a section of path that runs adjacent to the model railway and goes between the cascading pond and the model hut. There was an old pergola which covered the walkway and four panels of old trellis. We removed the pergola to open up the walkway, took down the old trellis and replaced it with more modern panels. Our in house artist, Alisha, designed some beautiful artwork for the panels featuring the Queen’s profile, trees and the Platinum Jubilee logo and there’s a plaque to commemorate the Queen and the opening of the Jubilee Tree Garden. Our Jubilee Walkway was complete!
We then moved to the bank on the side of the walkway which would house our Jubilee Tree Garden. The land required clearing of weeds and old plants and the soil prepared for the new plants. The planting plan was made and we chose Heuchera ‘Plum Pudding’ to represent the official purple colour of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Planted amongst the Heucheras are Ferns in the shape of the letters ‘ER’, to commemorate the event. Four British trees will be planted at the top of the bank and are surrounded by Photinias. I think you’ll agree that we’ve chosen a lovely colour pallet that will mature into stunning deep colours and will be a lasting memory of the Jubilee.
Of course, we want to involve the local community in celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee too. As we have four trees to plant, and our two most local towns, Newhaven and Seaford, each have four primary schools, we came up the idea of “twinning” two schools, one from each town, when planting each tree. We really hope that this will create a link between the schools and the two towns.
I’m very excited that our new Jubilee Tree Garden will be officially opened by local MP, Maria Caulfield, on Friday 27th May and that we’ve arranged for pupils from each school to plant the trees. We’ll post some pictures here and on social media very soon!
