Alan Griffiths, Operations Manager for CityParks North, led a group of enthusiasts through Preston Park this week, sharing his 46 years of experience working for Brighton and Hove City Council and explaining the horticultural development of the park over the last fifty years.
Sustainability and maintenance are paramount nowadays and we can see many examples of how the park has adapted to new challenges. In the Rose Garden the David Austin English style roses are chosen for their longer flowering season and their beautiful scent. Whilst, the herbaceous borders are planted with native species which attract insects and butterflies and bulbs have replaced summer flower beds along the London Road.
We marvelled at species which, due to a milder climate, are growing in the park such as agapanthus, and admired the centenarian elm trees. We also learnt many new evocative tree names such as the paperbark maple tree, the weeping elm, the fruiting quince, and the wedding cake viburnum.
The beauty of the park for Alan is that it offers something different to look for and see everyday of the year, and it is a much loved and used space by both the local community and visiting tourists.
Alan praised the work of the volunteers who assist CityParks gardeners in maintaining the flower beds and the Rose Garden, and without whom there would be far fewer flowers in the park. Anyone wishing to join our volunteer groups can do so on our website.
Our next event is Painting-in-the-Park on Sunday, 3 September. Please sign up to this event via Eventbrite. The event will be based around the park and should be wheelchair accessible, but the ground is uneven. Please bring your own materials. Donations will be requested at the end.