'Native vs Non-Native, which one's best?'

Went to a very interesting conference today run by Palmstead Nurseries.

Lots of very informed people talking about the biodiversity value of native plant species versus non-native and exotic. Learned lots, one interesting fact - there's no easy and obvious way to tell the difference between a moth and a butterfly. Most moths are good, and an exclusively native plant palette does not necessarily give the best provision for biodiversity.

The list of external speakers (so I don't forget!)

Nick Coslett, Palmstead Nurseries

'The aliens have landed'

Sarah McCarrick, Building Research Establishment 

'Native plants and their importance to BREEAM and biodiversity'. 

This one was blown totally out of the water as the day progressed, I really hope they look at the guidelines!

Kate Bradbury, Independent Journalist and Wildlife Gardener

'Planting for moths: When native planting is essential' 

Prof Nigel Dunnett, Sheffield University

'Beauty and biodiversity: Why using non-native species increases the ecological value of our designed leandscapes'

Helen Bostock and Dr Andy Salisbury, RHS

'Plants for bugs: an interim report on RHS research'

Tony Kirkham, RBG Kew

'Establishing trees for the future'

Prof Chris Baines, Independant Consultant

'Striking a balance'

A day very well spent, well done Palmstead.

Also a great opportunity to network and catch up with past students, other designers etc.

Definitely one for the diary next year.

Wow, How did they do that?

BBC Radio really is the best in the world. Have a listen to these short Radio 4 programmes.

Five 15 minute radio programmes where people make brilliant things, creative ideas for real life solutions. Have a look at the video clips too.

The salt water to cool greenhouses in the desert is particularly wonderful.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0383j0r/episodes/guide

Quote for today

The achievement of patience is a greater miracle 

than the resurrection of the dead

St John of the Cross. 14th Century

Some interesting websites:

The Photographers Gallery in London - must go there soon:
The Photographers' Gallery

Some of these are really silly but a few make you look at a problem from a different direction:
http://ltips.net/the-23-solutions-to-your-most-pressing-first-world-problems/

I love this one - triumph from catastrophe and it creates something completely unexpected and even better than the original:
http://arscentral.com/david-mach-creates-devil-out-of-matchsticks-and-sets-it-on-fire/


Scale is everything - science is amazing, nature mind-blowing. It's also the only time that football shirt fabric is worthwhile. The larvae is pretty disturbing. Sometimes it's better not to know about things.
http://www.topdesignmag.com/25-amazing-electron-microscope-images/

This one I found so poignant, not only because these people thought that they would go home, that these suitcases give a window on the individuals but also that they had kept so carefully and what a joy that someone has taken the time to look at them and record them. It reminds me that we all human beings and deserve to be treated with respect, regardless of mental or physical infirmity.
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/abandoned-suitcases-reveal-private-lives-of-insane-asylum-patients/

More to follow.

Interesting Print Ads

Have a look at these for some really clever design work: http://www.sortrature.com/24-clever-print-ads/

My first Blog entry!

I've finally bitten the bullet and joined the digital community. I intend to use this blog as somewhere to put things that inspire me, make me think or make me laugh. If I feel brave enough, I'll also post some of my work.

The  name of the blog comes from the lemon and poppy seed cake that I made to share with my Flowery Friends during our joint project for our BA Garden Design at Greenwich University/Hadlow College.

The recipe may follow at a later date.