New Planter Brings Fresh Greenery and Seating to Market Place
22 May 2024
We have a new planting scheme outside Diss Museum! The 1.25m2 recycled plastic planter was constructed and installed on Monday on the Market Place and provides additional seating in the area.
Local volunteers, George Waterman, Emily Forsdyke & Mike Garnham kindly offered their time to plant the new tree and small planting scheme. A ‘Liquidambar’ tree aka stytaciflua ‘Worplesdon’, was selected from local supplier, Sandy Lane Nursery Ltd in Wattisfield, as ideal for growing in a container, resistant to cold weather conditions, and for maximum interest as the leaves will change colour throughout the seasons.
Former Diss Town Councillor and friend of the Town Council, George said, “Obviously the tree will take a little time to establish but it is the best species for the site as it will grow relatively quickly and with the correct training via pruning, can grow into the best shape for the space it’s intended to occupy.”
George has offered to look after the tree to ensure it is maintained to create a canopy over the seating, which was always appreciated by residents with the previous scheme. Some ‘Erigeron karvinskianus’, purchased from Howard Nurseries Ltd in Wortham, were also planted beneath the tree to provide some instant colour. Additional bulb planting will follow ready for the Autumn.
Whilst on site, staff and volunteers were delighted to hear passing comments from members of the public who spoke in favour of the planting scheme.
Newly elected Town Mayor councillor Kieran Murphy who took office for the second year running earlier this month, was in attendance for the unveiling. He said, “We hope that residents and visitors appreciate the new planting scheme. The recycled plastic planter should last at least 25 years and is pretty much maintenance-free.”
Thank you to our partners, Anglian Tree Solutions Ltd and Andy Rackham who laid the new surfacing, our volunteers and Diss Town Council’s outdoor team headed by Facilities & Buildings Manager, Robert Ludkin, alongside Steve Woodburn, Andy Willson and Mark Hobbs who constructed and installed the planter and seating.
