Graduation in bloom

This year’s Graduation flower displays have been brightening up campus all week.

All of the vibrant plants in the planters were grown right here on campus in our on-site polytunnel. This local approach has saved money, supported biodiversity, and cut down on waste.

The planters feature a vibrant mix of flowering plants:

• Petunias in various colours
• Geraniums
• Calibrachoa
• Red Cordyline

Each plant was carefully propagated from cuttings, which takes about two to four weeks before being potted. The plants were then carefully nurtured in controlled conditions in the polytunnel before being transferred to the planters once the risk of frost had passed, continuing to grow and flourish in preparation for the summer Graduation display.

These species were chosen for their pollinator-friendly properties, helping to boost biodiversity on campus by supporting bees and other beneficial insects.

At the end of the growing season, the Geraniums and Cordyline will be lifted, re-potted into smaller containers, and kept in our polytunnel over the winter for reuse in the spring, whilst planning for our winter bedding display is already underway.

Saving money and the planet

Previously, we bought fully planted displays from the Netherlands, which cost about £8,000 per year. This year, we spent £5,000 on new planters, but:

• All the plants were grown on-site.
• All the compost was made from the University’s own green waste, which was mulched and processed on campus during the winter.

So far, we’ve saved £3,000 already, and we expect to save the full £8,000 every year moving forward.

This entire initiative has been led by Mike Warren, our Lead Gardener, with invaluable support from Karen Lord and Aiden Morris.

Why it matters

This new approach:

• Reduces our carbon footprint
• Saves money every year
• Creates a circular, sustainable system
• Supports local pollinators and biodiversity