Sciennes Primary School

Edinburgh

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MBLA prepared planting plans for the existing playground which includes a Rain Garden to an extension designed by Holmes Miller architects with Will Rudd consulting engineers.

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The main opportunity presented was to provide habitat creation and biodiversity enhancements was the planting of the Rain Garden. The purpose of the Rain Garden was too attenuate rainwater catchment from the new extension, as well as acting as a receptor of surface water run-off from the existing hardstanding to the playground.

A further opportunity was the introduction of a bespoke balancing beam which bridged the Rain Garden to encourage pupils to interact with the planting.

A planting palette was selected which included architectural plants and plants with seasonal interest to coincide with the school term times, selecting plants with spring, early summer, autumn and winter stem interest.  Plants suited to boggy ground conditions were favoured.  The planting included ground covering perennial plants, ornamental grasses and ferns.  A mid-storey planting of bamboo, dogwood and willow, with an over-storey provided by an alder tree.  Plants included on the RHS Perfect for Pollinators plant list were also favoured. 

Selected plants included:

Persicaria amplexicaulis

Persicaria bistorta

Primula vulgaris

Veronicastrum virginicum

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A raised timber planter was planted up with multi-stemmed birch trees underplanted with ornamental grass Hakonechloa and allium Purple Sensation for late spring interest which benefits pollinating insects.

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Completed 2024.

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