It’s proven quite tricky finding the right plants for the platform planters at London Rd Station. They are in shade for most of the day. The slugs, snails, squirrels and foxes love to visit and dig up the plants. And … a further factor is that the trailing ivy we planted years ago has taken over in each case, meaning that ivy roots dominate the soil and absorb moisture and nutrients.

I’ve hacked away at the root systems and added lots of compost, both bought in and our own to provide moisture and nutrients. We’ve planted orange begonias and red-pink busy lizzies – among the few brightly flowering plants to tolerate the shade, drought and onslaught from slugs and snails. Yellow bidens should provide some trailing over the edge but the snails are currently enjoying those little flowers. We’re also trying to ensure regular watering during the summer / hard work as the temperatures soar to 28C.