Lonehill’s Garden of Eden springs to life as July plantings burst into colour
The community-led Garden of Eden, planted in July outside Lonehill Shopping Centre, has begun to bloom, leaving Ward 94 councillor David Foley delighted as he spotted the first flowers during a recent drive-by.
Ward 94 councillor David Foley was floating on cloud nine this week, after taking a drive past the Lone Close verges to check on the progress of the plants he and local landscaper Liz Budd introduced in July.
To his delight, not only have the plants taken beautifully, some have already begun to flower. “This is good news, and they look so beautiful.” Foley beamed as he pointed out flashes of colour now emerging along the once-neglected stretch near Lonehill Shopping Centre.
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What started earlier this year as a simple clean-up of overgrown verges has now grown into a thriving beautification project, thanks to the combined efforts of Foley and Budd.
The pair initially stepped in to tidy up the area, but Budd saw the potential to do more than just clear away weeds. “I thought it would be lovely if we didn’t just clean them up, but actually planted some new greenery, something water-wise and easy to look after.”
That vision is now coming to life. The hardy agapanthus, garlic plants, and other low-maintenance species planted in winter have adapted well, just as Budd predicted.
Residents driving into the shopping centre can now see the first signs of the abundance of colour Foley promised months ago.
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Budd, a passionate gardener and Lonehill resident, has continued to receive positive feedback from the community, and now, with blooms appearing earlier than expected, even more residents have reached out to compliment the transformation.
The project, which relied on teamwork, donated plants, and dedicated hands-on work, has become a point of pride for the neighbourhood.
“Many thanks to Liz Budd, from Lonehill Gardens, and her team, plus all the residents who provided spare plants,” Foley reiterated. “These plants are spreading beautifully, and seeing the flowers now just shows how worthwhile the effort was.”
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