Thanks to volunteer effort, a neglected former flowerbed at Southgate Station has been given a "botanical makeover".
The new circular beds echo the shape of Southgate's iconic tube station
On 9th March, a team of volunteers coordinated by Southgate District Civic Voice (SDCV) completed the transformation of a muddy area of grass between the iconic station building and the bus station into an "elegant and vibrant green space".
SDCV vice chair Jane Maggs says the successful project was "a long time coming", preceded by several years of "patience and planning". It marks the end of a difficult chapter for the site, which for more than two years was blighted by an unsightly temporary bus welfare container. Following its removal, SDCV worked in partnership with the Bee Friendly Trust and Transport for London (TfL) to revitalise the space for the community.
Locally based designer and artist Dan Maier, who has created several public artworks for tube stations on the Piccadilly Line, was asked by TfL to lead on the project and bring it to fruition. She explains how she approached the commission:
"There was a strong desire from locals for more planting in Southgate’s town centre, and the flowerbeds at the station were ripe for revival. I felt it was important that whatever we implemented should complement the station's iconic Art Deco style, so circular planters were the natural solution and we’ve used low ones so that the frieze on the station building is still visible.
SDCV gardeners on parade, ready to start planting. Dan Maier is at far right, Jane Maggs is next to her
"Rather than fight a losing battle with the grass being continually eroded by people walking across it, we decided to install a porous resin-bound gravel for an elegant lasting solution for the planters to sit on. The scheme has also been designed to accommodate the large numbers of commuters waiting around the bus stops who spill onto the flowerbed, so the planters are located to allow plenty of room for people to circulate and enjoy the flowering plants throughout the seasons.
"The shrubs include rosemary and lavender for their scent and to attract the bees - an idea suggested by Luke Dixon of the Bee Friendly Trust. Mike Barter, who looks after parks and open spaces at the council, very kindly gave advice on low maintenance plant choices. So we also have umbrella plants (Choisya ternata), purple smoke bush, Pittosporum 'Gold Star', hebe and euonymous, which has a lovely variegated leaf, erisymum, which has a purple flower, and festuca grass for some contrast, as well as a Berberis 'Golden Rocket', nandina and a pieris, which all have lovely changing colours over the seasons."
The flowerbed prior to the renovation
Designing the new beds
Dan praises the enthusiasm of the volunteers involved in the project, who will continue to tend the plants through the year. She has a special word of thanks to TfL customer service supervisor Jordan West:
"Jordan came straight off a night shift to volunteer with us from 6am and must have lifted over 100 hefty bags of compost and grit! We couldn’t have done it without him!"
Jane Maggs describes the effect of the project on Southgate Station and how it has been greeted by the public:
"Replacing the temporary container with permanent, thoughtful greenery restores the dignity that this historic station deserves. We’ve had fantastic feedback so far and hope that people will enjoy what we’ve created for many years to come."
