Page 16 - Landscape-Issue151

PROJECT

A sensory herb garden involving touch and smell is planted with Sacred Basil, Lavender, Rosemary, Orange Jasmin and Origanum

what was offered at Christopher Robin was
contained in defined spaces as the children
learned through play. Affording them the
opportunity to explore and experience
their environment in more organic, ‘real-
life’ spaces meant that they could imagine,
create, problem-solve and become more
aware of their surroundings, including the
impact that they have on the environment
and on each other.”

Shift from traditional gardening
This was the beginning of a landscape with
an almost tangential shift from traditional
gardening, involving the following:
• a plant maze using Portulacaria afra
and hedging techniques supporting the
concept of exploration. All children were
involved in its planting;
• a greenhouse using recycled plastic,
polycarbonate panels and a misting
system for seedling support to stimulate
infant learning about the growth of
plants. Six-pack seedling trays will be
used by the children, with their names for
school and take-home projects;
• the installation of an operating sundial to
explain solar influences in understanding Cobbled cycle paths form a ‘track’ for children’s plastic bikes. The bridge, made of recycled plastic, adds
time and the influence on plant growth;
• a wind direction vane and windsock, interest to the space.
thermometer and rain gauge for
teaching about weather conditions interconnecting, cobbled cycle paths An existing sandpit was enlarged and
affecting the lives of people, animals, with recycled plastic bridges and a low, reshaped to create a ‘beach activity’ area
insects and plants. These are embodied undulating skateboard/plastic bike section for special events. Again, safety had to
in the teaching projects undertaken for interest and skills building. An arch was play a part and smooth, bull-nosed paving
by the school, making environmental placed over a track point to add further surrounds were used to soften the area and
education alive; interest as part of the landscape, and was allow for safe seating. Correctly treated
• a sensory herb garden involving touch offset with Freylinia tropica. silica sand was used as the ‘beach’ and a
and smell is planted with Lavendar, An elevated water feature has been shallow sloping platform was constructed
Rosemary, and Origanum as a installed for surface water splashing, and to create an area for the ‘sea’.
groundcover, with inset ‘grindstones’ for descends into a bridged, shallow river for Visual protection from passers-by was
birdlife and small feet. Orange Jasmin small boat racing. The feature is supported included as a necessary component, and
and Sacred Basil were planted to help by a safely constructed sub-surface sump comprised trailing senecio macroglossus.
with religious differences. The latter is for water re-circulation using a small pump. Pockets of Mackaya bella and Dietes
an essential herb used in Hindu and The electrical connection is in a remote, grandiflora were planted at the road and
Greek Orthodox religious programmes fenced area and is operated by a teacher parking verge. Duvernoia adhatodoides
and prayers. The children, in teams, were during play time. was used to screen the adjacent primary
involved with the planting. Recycled plastic benches serve as activity school boundary. Baphia racemosa, euclea
observation points and are shaded by natalensis and Burchellia bubalina were
Hard and soft landscaping Diospyros whyteana. They enable teachers planted in support of features.
This included a planned series of to fully contribute to the safety of children. With three well-established Mahogany

14 Landscape SA • Issue 151 2025 Check us out www.salandscape.co.za