Key facts
- The Royal Horticultural Society launched a new award for railway stations.
- Cardross Community Organic Garden in Scotland won the RHS Railway Stations in Bloom competition.
- Alresford station in Essex was recognized for creating a 'dry garden' with drought-resistant plants.
- Wylde Green station in Birmingham created a 'bee corridor' with pollinator-friendly plants.
- Keynsham station in Somerset features a collection of succulents.
- Volunteers at Alresford station have reported an increase in wildlife, including bees, butterflies, hedgehogs, and slowworms.
Volunteers across the UK are transforming railway stations into vibrant, wildlife-friendly spaces through gardening initiatives, a practice that has been ongoing since 1964 through the Royal Horticultural Society's (RHS) Britain in Bloom competition. This year, the RHS launched a new award specifically for railway stations, recognizing the efforts of residents who plant flowers and shrubs on platforms.
Five stations were shortlisted for the RHS Railway Stations in Bloom competition, judged on their beauty, wildlife support, and climate resilience. The winner, announced this week, was the Cardross Community Organic Garden in Scotland. The RHS noted the group's success in involving various community members, including schoolchildren and other gardening groups.
In Alresford, Essex, volunteers created a 'dry garden' inspired by horticultural pioneer Beth Chatto, planting drought-resistant species to cope with hot and dry summers. Lead volunteer Frank Belgrave stated that the station, once described as 'rundown' ten years ago, has been transformed and now rivals displays at the Chelsea Flower Show. Residents have shown their support by donating plants and compost.
At the windswept Cardross station in Scotland, volunteers have implemented hardy shrubs and windproofing measures, avoiding summer bedding plants due to harsh winters. The group, which fills the station with plants from their own gardens, visits most days for maintenance. Jane Connolly, who heads the volunteer group, highlighted the positive impact on the village, with people visiting specifically to see the gardens.
Other shortlisted stations include Maghull in Merseyside, featuring window boxes and a woodland area; Wylde Green in Birmingham, which cleared overgrown areas for pollinator-friendly plants and created a 'bee corridor'; and Keynsham station in Somerset, known for its array of succulents. Volunteers at these stations also reported making social connections and finding the work rewarding.
Belgrave expressed hope for funding for a community hub and coffee shop at Alresford station, noting that a neglected area has been turned into a garden. He also observed a significant return of wildlife, including various bees, butterflies, hedgehogs, and slowworms, to the station. The volunteers hope their efforts will inspire more stations to participate in similar greening schemes.