RHS Chelsea 2024 - All About Hedges
About the project:
Hedges are a popular feature of our urban and suburban landscapes and they provide a number of environmental benefits – trap airborne pollution, provide habitat for wildlife, capture rainfall and reduce localised flooding risks and contribute to summertime cooling.
RHS scientists in 2024 finished a two-year project funded by the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 to investigate the idea that mixing hedge plants (for example evergreen with deciduous, or those with different leaf characteristics) improves environmental benefits.
The All About Hedges exhibit showcased a variety of hedge mixes as well as planting that offers further environmental benefits and is appropriate for planting near to hedges. Feature trees showed how if left unpruned hedges develop into mature trees and a central engagement area includes microscopes and other scientific equipment allowing visitors to see the benefits hedges provide at a detailed level.
