Choosing plants for playgrounds is a fun part of primary school playground design. Here are some tips and ideas I follow when selecting plant species for interest, play and learning.
Locally Endemic species:
Selecting trees and understorey plants that are part of the local floral community are good for the local ecosystem and provide for and habitat for birds, bees and insects. Endemic species can also be part of a learning theme for students.
I’m working on a project in central Sydney that is part of the Blackwattle Creek floral community - Selecting trees such as Eucalyptus piperita and Angophora costata represent the original rocky suburbs of Pyrmont.
Plant strong edges along pathways:
Robust and resilient edging plantings, such as Lomandra hystrix or Lomandra longifolia 'Tanika', create resilient, tough and soft edges to connecting pathways.
The soft border foliage direct the students along the pathway towards other “designed” connections through the garden such as stepping stones or balancing beams.
Soft but vigourous: Plants like Helichrysum petiolare ‘Silver’ or Rhagodia spinescens form a mounded clumping edge to the footpaths - the leaves and stems are soft and flexible and it’s a durable selection for playgrounds.
Interesting plants for imaginative play:
Groundcovers such as Casuarina ‘Cousin It’ and Adenanthos sericeus ‘dwarf’ varieties create soft, interesting accent plants
Interesting trees for shapes an imaginative play include:
Agonis flexuosa - weeping branches that sway on the breeze
Banksia integrifolia - twisted imaginative shapes
Pistachio chinensis - a great small tree that provides colour and seasonal interest
For more information or to see my portfolio www.nataliemcevoy.com
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