Communities and Installations

By Manchester Urban Diggers

The installation consists primarily of edible plants, and is focused on replicating the sustainability and harmony of the natural world. It is designed to maximise growing within the smallest of spaces, and is built from found and foraged materials, to reduce waste and resource inputs. Inspired by alternative growing models and sustainable food systems, the installation uses a range of different growing conditions – light and shade, different heights for space and accessibility – to grow a variety of different plant types.

By The University of Plymouth, Grown That Way, and the Co-op Carbon foundation

The exhibit showcases innovation in agri-tech and how it can relate to communities and small growers. Rather than replacing nature or labour with technology; it’s about using agri-tech such as robots, sensors, and automation to allow us to know more about areas of the natural world we can't see (such as microbes and mini-beasts in soil). This will help us to increase biodiversity where it may not be as productive due to human damage.

By RHS Plant Trials

For the first time the RHS is trialling housplants in the home, on a windowsill. Staff and volunteers caring for the plants will feed back their progress digitally. At the RHS Urban Show Head of Horticultureal Realations Emma Allen and her team are talking to visitors about what plant trials are and encouraging volunteers. At the last day of the show visitors will be able to take an orchid home with them and become part of the trial themselves.

By Ardwick Climate Action

In an imagined and potentially near future setting with the loss of habitats due to human activity, the space is designed to offer an evocative and almost clinical setting for nature. In a Monolith sits a tree with plant life suspended in time, imprisoned and entombed. The use of heavily ionised soil hints towards a futuristic landscape, denoting a radical change in climate. A theatrical conceptual design gives people the space to reflect about how they interact with nature and how a future landscape may become reality.

By Anthony Cox

Florish Manchester are a celebrated local florist and houseplant specialists. Taking over an RHS Urban Show arch with displays of cut and dried flowers, draped with houseplants lit with  twinkling fairy lights creating a magical, immersive tunnel of fragrant blooms.

By David Jayet-Laraffe of Frog

Dust blankets, forgotten floors, walls crack and crumble, and wood rots away while nature inexorably reclaims its territory. The visuals vividly illustrate the strength of the natural world as it invades these abandoned structures.

By Hannah Clark of The Bud and Pot

Celebrating urban nature, dried florals in taupe and grey form the backbone of the piece and reflect the weathered buildings, new high-rises and streets of Manchester. Through this burst vibrant, fresh flowers in zingy zesty colours, which echo the spirit of a city constantly, reinventing and redefining itself.

By Victoria Harris of POWERPLANT Flowers

A sustainable, contemporary feature by a local floral design studio which represents the joyful and creating culture of northern cities. Blue and green mophead hydrangeas are complimented with zesty lemons of tulips and marigolds.

By Marcia Ruta and Claire Page of Moss Clerks

The installation celebrates the oldest living species, often overlooked and misunderstood by gardeners. The piece highlights carbon processing, the cycle of life and the important role played by moss.