Garden to deal with flood and drought

17:13 19th July 2010

Work on a west London horticultural attraction is set to be completed next month, according to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).

The organisation noted that while the official opening of the London Wetland Centre's rain garden will not take place until September, horticulture and conservation enthusiasts will be able to check it out in August.

Designed by Dr Nigel Dunnett and financed by the Royal Bank of Canada, the attraction will show how gardens can be used to absorb rainwater during flash floods and conserve it during droughts.

"A lot of discussion about flood control is done by engineers," Dr Dunnett told the RHS.

"The reason for doing this rain garden is to make it a permanent focus for discussion."

The site will make use of dry riverbeds, cascades, streams, pools and other features to help it achieve its task of being adaptable to varying weather conditions.

It will be planted with Heloanthus Lemon Queen and loosestrife, both of which are flood and drought resistant.

Meanwhile, RHS Garden Wisley is set to host an event designed to reaffirm garden and greenhouse fans' love for trees and shrubs on August 5th.