Think you need an open plot of land with plenty of soil in order to cultivate a garden? Think again. CMG Landscape Architecture’s Cracked Concrete Garden proves that many plants have a way of surviving even with minimal resources. The project took a site that was previously paved with concrete and transformed the land into a true piece of urban wild. Garden rows were created with jackhammers, and then vegetated by herbs and flowers. A Jacaranda tree on the far side of the garden and two species of vines climb the surrounding fences to complete the green space.
The garden was inspired by “the tenacious plants that pioneer the tiny cracks of urban landscape,” and recently received an ASLA Honor Award in Residential Design for maintaining the site’s previous identity, however unsavory, while developing a new, more verdant character for the space. The landscape architects were also applauded for working with an extremely small budget that limited the extent of their renovation. Furthermore, Pruned mused that the garden could be a model for future urban gardens in abandoned lots with small budgets for revitalization, where de-constructing and re-creating entire sites would not possible.
+ The Cracked Garden on the ASLA website
+ ASLA 2009 Profressional Awards
Via Pruned
This is great! I always get a little excited when I see plants popping up through the concrete, taking a little bit of their land back. It i cool to see that excitement cultivated and formed so well and simply.