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The IBC Pocket Forest

Container Gardens
Designing small spaces does not mean you have to use small containers or plants… instead think big!

Inspired by the balconies of Milan’s Bosco Verticale and tiny urban forests utilising the Miyawaki method of creating diverse multi-layered forest, this garden is an urban pocket forest and haven for wildlife built by repurposing Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC) into a sanctuary to sit and be immersed in nature. Trees are the stars of this garden, and rowan, hawthorn, silver birch and hazel are beloved by wildlife.

The customised IBC containers are planted in a multi- layered scheme with trees, mid-storey shrubs and underplanting. IBCs are inexpensive to purchase when at the end of their leasing lifecycle and, like pallets and shipping containers, are readily available, modular and easily customisable.

With thanks to Breedon Special Aggregates and Practicality Brown.

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The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.