Forgotten Corners are small areas of public green space which are planted and maintained by keen resident gardeners. These include road verges, estate land and public utility land.

If you are a keen gardener and would like to create a Forgotten Corner garden, please get in touch and we can advise on getting necessary permission and also on the types of plants that may be appropriate. Some of our members may also be able to supply plants and there are also small grants available to assist with the purchase of plants, compost etc. For further information please contact “The Committee” at islingtongardeners01@gmail.com  

From January 2026 Islington Gardeners is inviting anyone who loves gardening to plant up a Forgotten Corner or Tree Pit. We are offering grants of £50 – £100 to people who would like to improve an existing Forgotten Corner or Tree Pit in the Borough. The money can be used to improve an existing but neglected area or help towards developing a new one.                                                                                

Applicants must be members of Islington Gardeners and applications can be from an individual or a group.        Applications must be in by no later than 31st March 2026

Please apply to islingtongardeners01@gmail.com with your proposal + 2 photos of the site and its post code.                                              

Applications will be considered on a first come first served basis.

One popular type of Forgotten Corner is tree pits or tree gardens, which are gardens created in the bare soil around street trees. Some tips for creating  a tree garden or pit are :

1. Define the planted area by adding an edging made of tile, wood or some other durable material
2. Improve the solid around the tree while being careful not to mound soil against the tree trunk
3. Plant tough plants appropriate to the conditions, which are generally very dry. Plants for dry sunny conditions could include Salvia hot lips, Lavender and Sedum. If the conditions are shady consider Male ferns (Dryopteris filix-mas), Euphorbia amygdaloides robbiae, and Epimedium x perralchicum ‘Frohnleiton’
4. Water regularly, every day in hot sunny conditions
5. Don’t be disheartened if plants are sometimes damaged or litter is dropped into your tree garden. Just keep going and know that most people really appreciate what you’re doing.                                 For more information about Tree Pits see:   https://www.islington.gov.uk/physical-activity-parks-and-trees/parks-and-green-space/gardening-and-greening/tree-pits    for official guidance

Below are some images of Forgotten Corners cared for by our members.

   

Whitehall Park Forgotten Corner, Pauntley St

   

Rees Street Community Garden

      

Campdale Road Forgotten Corner (The Verge)

Campdale Road Hedge (Spring 2017)