Leuven’s Botanical Garden is creating a ‘climate garden’ to teach local residents and visitors how to protect their gardens against climate change. The new garden will include species that can withstand drought and heat well. Solutions that people can easily apply in their own gardens, like terracotta irrigation pots, will also be shown here.
Leuven's Botanic Garden plans to inspire visitors with climate-proof section
Colin Clapson
Published:
‘We see that plants in the city are not coping well with climate change,’ says the head of Leuven’s green department Simon Neerinckx. ‘The beeches are really struggling with the drought and the bright sun shining on their bark. We try to give the trees extra water, when necessary, but we still see that sometimes they are dying and are much more susceptible to fungi and other diseases.’
This is why staff at the Botanic Garden are currently hard at work on a climate garden at the Kapucijnenvoer entrance. The Botanic Garden hopes to inspire residents to make their gardens climate-proof too.
Climate-resistant species and wadis
The Botanic Garden’s gardeners sought inspiration among plants from the Mediterranean. These are more resistant to climate change. ‘We put particular emphasis on plants that can withstand drought and heat well, for example ‘climate trees’ from drier areas,’ says Mr Neerinckx.
‘We also have a smart water management plan so that the garden can withstand severe storms. We are constructing wadis. These are pits in which water is collected. From there, the water can slowly infiltrate into the soil,’ Mr Neerinckx explains. ‘The city is also going to use terracotta irrigation pots. These are buried in the ground and slowly release moisture. These are all things residents can do themselves at home in their own gardens.’
Work on the project is in full swing and should be completed by May. ‘But of course our gardeners are working every day. They can always be addressed by citizens or visitors to the garden and they are certainly open to providing further explanations,’ says Mr Neerinckx.