New perennial planting in the Long Gardens supports greater biodiversity

As one of Cheltenham’s most high-profile and carefully considered planting projects in recent years, the Long Gardens on the Promenade now have bountiful wildlife thanks to new perennial planting methods.

Perennial planting involves selecting and embedding plants that live for more than two years, returning annually, to reduce the amount of time and waste associated with seasonal gardening.

Cheltenham Borough Council are moving away from traditional bedding to a new perennial-based planting scheme – planting a mix of perennials, shrubs, bulbs, and evergreens. These species have been chosen to reduce maintenance and watering, support urban wildlife, provide year-round colour, and are better suited to climate change.

The project was led by Marta Cowling, public realm and landscape architect at the council, who designed and coordinated the planting scheme from concept to delivery. Marta was supported by colleagues from the council’s parks and public realm team. The ground preparation, planting, watering, and ongoing care were delivered by the green team from Ubico, while Wyevale Nurseries supplied the plants for this project.

The perennial planting has been thoughtfully selected to support the ecosystem, provide year-round interest and reduce waste, and replace outdated, high-maintenance annual bedding with a more sustainable, climate-resilient approach. The project has been funded by Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucestershire County Council’s trees team.

Cllr Paul Baker, cabinet member for waste, recycling and green open spaces, said: "Long Gardens has always been a much-loved part of Cheltenham’s town centre, and I’m absolutely delighted to see it revitalised with this stunning new planting scheme.

“The mix of shrubs like hebes, mahonias, and lavenders, alongside perennials such as geraniums, geums, heleniums, echinaceas, and many more, brings year-round colour, texture, and interest.

“Most importantly, these plants were carefully chosen to support pollinators, bees, and the wider ecosystem. A huge thank you to the amazing teams from Ubico and the Council’s Green Space team, whose care and dedication have brought this project to life. It’s sustainable, it’s beautiful and it’s planting for the future."

For media enquiries to Cheltenham Borough Council, contact: email [email protected] telephone 01242 264231.

Watch the video to see more about the perennial planting at the Long Gardens.