London's Pocket Parks: Natural Dye and Wellbeing Garden, SE1

"It's a wildlife garden that will support the theatre's productions, as the plants have all been chosen for their use in making clothes dyes. Some of the plants include French marigolds, hollyhocks, dahlias, indigo, and camomile, all of which have been used in the dyeing practices throughout history. When harvested, the plants will be processed in the Kors LePere Textile Studio to create natural dyes for costumes and textiles used in the National Theatre's productions."

"The garden will be used to create lengths of naturally dyed fabric, making it easier for designers to work towards the Theatre Green Book, an industry-wide initiative aimed at producing theatre more sustainably. The National says that all future productions will include naturally dyed items, starting with The Playboy of the Western World, which opens in December. The pocket park is open whenever the National Theatre building is open - currently 10am until 11pm, Monday to Saturday - closed on Sunday."

The pocket park sits on the National Theatre's roof terrace and is open to the public most days. Planting blocks were redesigned in 2014 into raised beds and L-shaped seating. The beds have been replanted as the Natural Dye and Wellbeing Garden, a wildlife-focused space whose plants were chosen for dyeing fabrics. Plant varieties include French marigolds, hollyhocks, dahlias, indigo and camomile. Harvested plants will be processed in the Kors LePere Textile Studio to produce natural dyes for costume and textile use. All future productions will feature naturally dyed items, starting with The Playboy of the Western World.

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