York Walls in Bloom
The 'York Walls in Bloom' project transforms the city wall embankments (ramparts), as these unique and historic green spaces evolve into beautiful biodiverse landscapes.
Read about:
- York Walls in Bloom project
- Carefully managed walls in bloom
- Ecology of The City Walls
- Local support for York Walls in Bloom
Photograph courtesy of Coventry City Council
York Walls in Bloom project
Funded by the Green Corridors project, the National Lottery Community Fund and sponsored by local businesses, the project will deliver spectacular floral displays and allow many different pollinating insects to thrive.
Inspired by projects such as the Tower of London, Moat in Bloom, carefully managed wild flowers around the City Walls offer:
- stunning visuals
- increased sustainability
- improved habitat
- a more natural environment
A change in management techniques, including a suitably balanced approach to cutting (and not-cutting), will support nutrient levels for healthier soil and promote wild flower growth.
Carefully managed walls in bloom
York Walls in Bloom has been carefully introduced, and will continue to be correctly managed over several years, to balance the ecology of the sites.
The first phase of the project in the city centre at Station Rise sees:
- the area left to grow naturally for several months
- an ecological study determined no existing habitats would be endangered by the project
- turf ‘wither stripped’ to allow the sowing of seeds
- volunteers from across the city (supported by York Cares) helping to sow wild flowers, in September 2024
In the second phase, the York Walls in Bloom project will be extended to the Red Tower on Walmgate, transforming the flatter sections of rampart on the outside of the city walls, by:
- sowing wildflowers in spring 2025
- creating a floral display in summer 2025
- becoming a carefully managed sustainable natural floral meadow in following years
Cllr Jenny Kent, Executive Member for Environment and Climate Emergency, said:
York is proud to have some of the UK’s best preserved medieval walls, and this partnership project to cover the site at Station Rise in meadow flowers for York Walls in Bloom will not only look beautiful, it will also help support York’s bees, moths and butterflies, and help preserve the ramparts underneath.
"We are lucky to have expert advice from many partners; we're also in the process of reviewing our maintenance of The Walls overall. We'll ensure that we adopt the very best heritage and ecology conservation practices to prevent soil erosion, which increases with extreme heat and increased rainfall, maximise the environmental benefit, and keep The Walls looking great for generations to come."
Ecology of The City Walls
Over their 2,000 year history, York's city wall ramparts have constantly evolved, changing from sheer slopes, to grazing areas, to manicured lawns.
In recent years, seasonal bedding-plant displays have featured interesting and unique designs. However, the displays are resource intensive, in terms of water and carbon used in the growing, transporting, planting, watering, weeding and removal of plants each year, making them increasingly unsustainable for the city and the planet.
The York Walls in Bloom project will:
- ensure the ramparts keep looking special, so that we can all continue to enjoy them
- change how we conserve the ground beneath The Walls, helping to prevent soil erosion and protect them in the very best way
Local support for York Walls in Bloom
The York in Walls in Bloom project has gained the backing and sponsorship of local businesses.
Simon Mahon, General Manager of The Grand, York, said:
We’re delighted to be working on the York Walls in Bloom project; we’re very proud sponsors and are looking forward seeing wildflowers being introduced along the walls, which naturally will make this historical part of York even more beautiful.
"Here at The Grand, York, as part of our sustainability initiative we house approximately 50,000 bees on our roof. The honey they produce is used throughout The Grand in desserts, pastries and cocktails. So, we’re really happy to support this project."
Holly Hennell, Manager, York Cares, said:
Employee-volunteers will be involved with activities to enhance biodiversity across the city, sowing seeds as part of the York Walls in Bloom project; a fantastic initiative which will really brighten up the city whilst also benefiting the environment.
"The York Cares team is excited to get involved, alongside their members, demonstrating the difference we can make when we come together."
