Greenwood Community: Chichester College SEND Foundation

The garden and workshop have both been designed, created and built by the students themselves, encouraging team building and a sense of ownership, teaching the students responsibility. They’ve created their own plant beds, including several raised beds, installed their own wheelchair accessible paths, as well as the on-site workshop. Not only this, but constant improvements are made to the area, and the students maintain it themselves, ensuring it is an enjoyable space to work and rest. 

Before the donation, there were only a few established trees in the area, with no other significant plant life to speak of. The plants Greenwood donated have now been used to create much greater interest in the garden, resulting in a significant transformation of the green space. The plants donated were a mix of shrubs including Hebe, Hydrangea, Osmanthus and Cistus as well as mixed herbaceous perennials including Bergenia and Sedum. These plants all have low maintenance requirements and are able to thrive in various garden conditions. They feature attractive foliage and flowers, and in addition to their aesthetic appeal, they attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Encouraging wildlife into the garden at the Chichester College adds to its value and interest, also helping to encourage biodiversity in the local area. We attempt to vary the plants we donate, based on their intended planting location and hope they continue to thrive.