An urban jungle has started to take shape on a council estate in Landport, with the aim of creating an “oasis” for residents.
Local resident Marco Anderson has been planting exotic plants on a Portsmouth City Council estate in Landport to create a lush tropical escape for the community.
Mr Anderson began by planting banana trees in his own garden before realising he could “push this into the neighbourhood”.
“I wanted to do this jungle for the community, to help our mental health and I think it’s really worked,” he said. “People are happier and less stressed.”
He said the project had been “well received” by “all parts of the community”, including children and elderly residents who “have been involved and really back it”.
Among the plants he has introduced is the Musa Basjoo, otherwise known as the Hardy Banana plant, along with Mexican fan palms and red star plants.
“All of these plants here you have to pay for, if you want to see them you have to go to a botanical garden and it’s just on the doorstep here.”
Mr Anderson began planting earlier this year, with the tropical plants responding well to the hot weather over the summer.
A neighbouring resident, who has lived on the estate for 26 years, said: “It’s the best it’s looked”.
“My grandson is coming up for tea tonight because he wants to see the jungle.”
Mr Anderson said the project had only just begun, with the area currently around 20 per cent complete.
His final vision is for a substantial tree canopy to cover the basketball court.
He said there had been scepticism among local residents at the start of the project, but “when they saw it really come together visually, some people need to see it to believe it.”
Stephen Morgan MP has also shown his support for the project and has agreed to visit the jungle later this month.
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