River of Flowers

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A river in its natural state will meander across a floodplain, creating oxbows and allowing the water to slow down and be absorbed and integrated into the land. Using flowers instead of water, our new river of flowers across the living lawn creates a visual representation of this natural movement and environmental repair. While the living lawn in which it sits will continue to be mown on the relaxed schedule, the river, will grow unchecked, acting as a seedbank to boost the biodiversity of the species within the living lawn. The deep root systems of plants within the river of flowers will further improve the infiltration of water to the lawn, building a dynamic space in which both humans and wildlife can thrive.

The flowers in the river, newly sown on 01 June 2026, are a specialty mix created with native seed company Scotia Seeds. The species chosen are tailored to support the ecosystem, aid us in creating climate resilience, and provide for insects at all their life stages. Most are perennial species, with a handful of annuals to provide color and beauty in the very first year. We are replenishing the species originally planted in 2021as well as introducing new species specifically chosen to support the native Scottish pollinator population. The Biological Records Centre’s Database of Insects and their Food Plants (DBIF), University of Sussex’s Database of Pollinator Interactions (DOPI), and the expertise of NBS scientists and ecologists informed the species choices.

2026 Flower River species:
- Achillea millefolium (Yarrow)
- Ajuga reptans (Bugle)
- Anthyllis vulneraria (Kidney Vetch)
- Bellis perennis (Daisy)
- Betonica officinalis (Betony)
- Dianthus deltoides (Maiden Pink)
- Fragaria vesca (Wild Strawberry)
- Galium verum (Lady’s Bedstraw)
- Helianthemum nummularium (Rock Rose)
- Hypochaeris radicata (Cat's Ear)
- Lotus corniculatus (Birdsfoot Trefoil)
- Origanum vulgare (Wild Marjoram)
- Pimpinella saxifraga (Burnet Saxifrage)
- Primula veris (Cowslip)
- Prunella vulgaris (Selfheal)
- Ranunculus acris (Meadow Buttercup)
- Scorzoneroides autumnalis (Autumn Hawkbit)
- Silene uniflora (Sea Campion)
- Stellaria graminea (Lesser Stitchwort)
- Taraxacum officinalis (Dandelion)
- Thymus polytrichus (Wild Thyme)
- Veronica officinalis (Common Speedwell)
- Viola riviniana (Common Dog Violet)
- Centaurea nigra (Common Knapweed)
- Daucus carota (Wild Carrot)
- Echium vulgare (Viper’s Bugloss)
- Leucanthemum vulgare (Ox-eye Daisy)
- Silene dioica (Red Campion)
- Succisa pratensis (Devils-bit Scabious)
- Trifolium pratense (Red Clover)
- Knautia arvensis (Field Scabious)
- Centaurea cyanus (Cornflower)
- Glebionis segetum (Corn Marigold)
- Papaver rhoeas (Corn Poppy)
- Tripleurospermum inodorum (Scentlessmayweed)
What are we learning? So how are we adapting?

The river and the lawn will continue to be monitored over time. NBS pollinator ecologist Nicholas Balfour conducts plant and pollinator surveys throughout the Botanics grounds and the wider city of Edinburgh, tracking the city’s contribution to pollinator communities. The living lawn and its newly established river will continue to be one of the pollinator survey locations, and infiltration tests will again be performed in 2027.