The expertise of perennial gardeners is essential in Angers/F

Close cooperation with perennial gardeners is necessary for both the planning of urban greening and planting, explained Alice Evain, head of the green space department of the city of Angers, during the visit of almost 60 participants of the ISU Summer Days in mid-August. The members of the International Hardy Plant Union (ISU) were invited to the city parliament for a presentation on the exemplary greening of Angers and a tour of the city. 600 mm of rainfall per year, high evaporation rates and increasing periods of drought present the city with a number of problems, which they are tackling with a comprehensive concept. They use the expertise of perennial plant expert David Gordon to select plants that are suitable for the climate. In production, the young plants are already grown in a special substrate with composted manure and fine gravel, among other things, and planted out in high density but very small pot sizes, explained Gordon. The suitability of the plants is regularly checked and optimized. Once they have grown, they are no longer watered. Even the narrowest strips along house walls or roadsides are used to plant cooling greenery and allow rainwater to infiltrate.
Overall, meadow-like seeds are sown according to the location, perennials and shrubs that are particularly suitable for the climate are planted, as well as some typical local plants. Public relations work, continuous internal improvement concepts, integration of scientific findings and further training lead to a diverse cityscape and a pleasant urban climate. Cooperation between the city and perennial gardeners is essential.