Barbican Hands Out Cuttings as 'Green Lung of the City' Closes for Refurbishment

The Barbican conservatory in London is a beloved green space for many residents and visitors. However, the estate has announced that the conservatory will be closing for a three-year refurbishment.

Despite the closure, the Barbican is giving back to the community by handing out cuttings from its plant collection. On Wednesday, 500 people turned up to pick up a cutting from the conservatory, and more events are planned in the coming months.

The cuttings are being given away as if they were pets, with adopters filling out an "adoption form" to take their new plants home. The head gardener, Marta Lowcewicz, was thrilled with the response, saying that there had been a "social media storm" and that it was "amazing how much interest there has been."

The plants being given away are a mix of species from around the world, and many of them are being sorted by Lowcewicz. She explained that the climate has changed significantly since the Barbican was built in the 1960s, and many indoor plants are now outdoor plants.

Lowcewicz will be choosing new plants for the collection, but says that the estate is looking to retain as many of its current plants as possible. She wants to select plants that have "big, bold leaves" to fit well with the concrete architecture of the Barbican.

Visitors to the event were excited to take home a piece of the conservatory, with many choosing plants that reminded them of their travels or favorite places. One resident, Stella, chose a Benghal dayflower because it has a "little secret blue flower."

The event was bittersweet, as many people were sad to see the conservatory close for such a long stretch. However, the Barbican's chief operating officer, Dr Philippa Simpson, feels a sense of responsibility to restore the conservatory to its former glory.

"It's a green lung of the city," she said. "We are undertaking a massive restoration of it because it was in urgent need of rescue. We have nets up to deal with falling glazing, massive waterproofing issues. It is leaking into all of our significant spaces."

When the conservatory reopens in 2030, it will be fully accessible and open seven days a week.

### Plants Given Away

| Species | Description | | --- | --- | | Swedish ivy | Silvery-green plant | | White velvet plant | Plant with white, velvety leaves | | Peperomia | Plant with soft, textured leaves | | Trailing purple heart plant | Plant with purple, heart-shaped leaves | | Benghal dayflower | Plant with a "little secret blue flower" |

### Community Response

The community response to the event was overwhelmingly positive, with many residents and visitors expressing their excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to take home a piece of the conservatory.

"It's great that it's being restored," said Lydia Goldberg, a tech worker who lives in the Barbican. "Having a piece of the conservatory in my flat will be incredible and this is a real community event."

The event was a testament to the power of community and the importance of green spaces in urban areas. As the Barbican conservatory undergoes its three-year refurbishment, the community will be eagerly awaiting its reopening in 2030.