A spectacular display of British wildflowers was put together for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in the summer of 2022. What better way for the Tower of London to celebrate the late monarch’s lengthy reign?! Joyous and colourful native blooms created a vast floral meadow in central London. The immersive experience (including a soundscape, ‘Music for Growing Flowers’ by Erland Cooper) was ever-changing. Throughout last year’s summer months, various waves of flowering seasons came and passed, and it was the start of August before I had time to visit.
I realised that I hadn’t shared these images as a collection; however, it was a brilliant way to spend some time. It was an emotional beginning; the visitor’s inner child was invited to feel joyful and free, entering the moat on a hessian mat down a bumpy slide. I struck up easy conversations with several of the visitors and volunteers – people who felt as uplifted as I did, and who relished the slow moments amongst the dancing colours. As I understand it, the ground has been left intact for natural self-seeding. It will be an interesting experiment to see what thrives and what is less resilient when they reappear this summer.
Wildflower varieties included, at various times: Cosmos bipannitus; Papaver rhoeas, Calendula officinalis, Centaurea cyanus, sunflowers, Rudbeckias and red orache.
Specifically chosen to attract pollinators, the vast wildflower meadow envelops three sides of the historic walls,. It meant that sunlight levels allowed different areas to reach peak flowering at different times.
Is there a more iconic or recognisable backdrop?!
Looking back through the British wildflowers, you can just see the bumpy slide (optional entrance) where your journey begins. It all felt like a celebratory deconstruction of everything you’d expect in ambience and behaviour at a historic royal venue.
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