PLANTING AN AFRICAN SAVANNNAH IN CHESTER
Recreating the hot, dry landscape of an African savannah is no easy feat in the often rain-drenched Cheshire soil of our newest development, Heart of Africa. Luckily, creating so many diverse habitats in one place is a speciality of our Head of Plants, Phil Esseen, and his team. From the tropical South-East Asian forests of Islands, to their latest feat of the flat grasslands of the African savannah, we caught up with Phil to discover more about the 6000 plants that are helping to bring Heart of Africa to life.
What plant where?
When it comes to the great – or not so great – British weather, there has to be some clever planting tricks and a keen eye for plant species that can survive our often cloudy, damp days. Phil and the plant team worked hard to find a variety of trees, shrubs, grasses, and herbaceous plants that looked as close to the wild plants found in the animals’ native savannah home as possible.
We sourced lots of grasses, spiky shrubs, scrubby kind of plants for the project. We weren’t looking for beautifully proportioned horticultural specimens, but the sorts of plants that look a bit scrappy and scrubby to help really give the impression visitors are getting as close to the real African experience as we can, here in Cheshire.
Coping with potentially more extremes of heat and wetness was another factor. The soil here in the zoo is very heavy clay so the effects of waterlogging during winter is a big problem. When you're trying to create what is going to look like an arid, dry habitat, you've got to use plants that will survive the rain but look true to the savannah landscape."
Phil Esseen, Head of Plants, Chester Zoo
Once the plant team had decided on the species that could work in the different spaces, the challenge of finding a supplier to grow thousands of plants to exacting heights and sizes for the different areas began. Luckily, a local supplier within a few miles of the zoo came on board to grow the majority of the plants, which meant less transportation miles and more money brought into the local economy. The team were also able to take regular trips to check on the growing progress in the lead up to the final planting.
130 Trees
840
Shrubs
3760 Grasses
1490
Herbaceous perennials
Look out for Phil’s favourites
There is an abundance of plants to spot in Heart of Africa, so we asked Phil to share three of his highlights to keep your eyes peeled for when you explore Heart of Africa yourself.
HOME GROWN
Once the plant team had decided on the species that could work in the different spaces, the challenge of finding a supplier to grow thousands of plants to exacting heights and sizes for the different areas began. Luckily, a local supplier within a few miles of the zoo came on board to grow the majority of the plants, which meant less transportation miles and more money brought into the local economy. The team were also able to take regular trips to check on the growing progress in the lead up to the final planting.
130 Trees
840
Shrubs
3760 Grasses
1490
Herbaceous perennials
Look out for Phil’s favourites
There is an abundance of plants to spot in Heart of Africa, so we asked Phil to share three of his highlights to keep your eyes peeled for when you explore Heart of Africa yourself.
Honey Locust Tree
(Gleditsia triacanthos)
This tree is one of the largest plants in Heart of Africa and can be found out on the new savannah habitat. It took a large crane to plant these 7-8 metre trees in their new home. We chose this species as it looks similar to the Acacia that’s common in the African savannah.
Screw pine
(Pandanus)
Indoors you can find this species in the Hidden Savannah experience. It’s a favourite home to the turquoise dwarf gecko in the wild and is one of the native African species we have been able to plant due to the indoor climate that protects it from the harsher elements.
The spike cabbage tree
(Cussonia spicata)
Native to South Africa, this plant’s beautiful leaves are just like green snowflakes. It’s been great to introduce another African species to Chester as part of the Hidden Savannah.
Honey Locust Tree
(Gleditsia triacanthos)
This tree is one of the largest plants in Heart of Africa and can be found out on the new savannah habitat. It took a large crane to plant these 7-8 metre trees in their new home. We chose this species as it looks similar to the Acacia that’s common in the African savannah.
Screw pine
(Pandanus)
Indoors you can find this species in the Hidden Savannah experience. It’s a favourite home to the turquoise dwarf gecko in the wild and is one of the native African species we have been able to plant due to the indoor climate that protects it from the harsher elements.
The spike cabbage tree
(Cussonia spicata)
Native to South Africa, this plant’s beautiful leaves are just like green snowflakes. It’s been great to introduce another African species to Chester as part of the Hidden Savannah.
Animal connections
The relationship between the plants and the animals you’ll find in Heart of Africa isn’t just about food, although the team have placed large rocks and logs around some of the tall trees to protect them from the hungry giraffes.
Many of the animals will use trees and plants for exploring and viewpoints, as well as for climbing and sleeping. The security and protective element of the plants is a crucial part of building a healthy habitat for many animals as they can use the plants for privacy, shade, and a retreat from their neighbours and visitors when they need it.
Gardener for a day experience
Spend the day alongside our qualified, highly skilled, and enthusiastic gardeners as you work behind-the-scenes in our glasshouses. You'll see how our team of botanists look after five plant collections of national importance, including carnivorous pitcher plants, cactus, and South American orchids!
Gardener for a day experience
Spend the day alongside our qualified, highly skilled, and enthusiastic gardeners as you work behind-the-scenes in our glasshouses. You'll see how our team of botanists look after five plant collections of national importance, including carnivorous pitcher plants, cactus, and South American orchids!
