Park of the week

166. The Onion Garden 

This garden is in Westminster, down a side street off Victoria Street, not far from Victoria Station. 

In 2021, Jens Jakobsen, local florist and philanthropist, transformed it, with the help of volunteers, from a derelict concrete corner between the glass, steel and concrete of office blocks,  into a delightful space that the whole community can enjoy. It’s a not-for-profit charity, with any money made from events or selling plants, going back into the running and growth of the garden. You can donate via their crowdfunder.

There are quite a few onions in the garden, some growing, some hanging from branches or used to create sculptures, but the name for the garden comes more from the ancient symbolism of the onion, its layers representing renewal and the circle of life.

There are now over two hundred species of plant in the garden, including herbs, wildflowers and fruit trees, attracting insects, butterflies and bees. Everything is grown organically, and Jens tries to not throw anything away, for example dead leaves are used in compost and twigs are used to create other structures, such as this nest, containing eggshells, again representing rebirth. Eggshells can also be used as an organic snail repellent. 

Narrow paths wind through the garden, past corners with chairs where you can relax among the plants and trees. I sat in one and did my daily Duolingo, undisturbed and not disturbing– even the spoken- out-loud German bits. There’s a greenhouse/orangery towards the end of the garden, and a coffee pavilion with a transparent observation beehive. Any profits from the pavilion go back into the garden. Throughout are little signs in and around the plants, with motivational/amusing phrases.

The garden is open 7.30am-4.30pm Monday-Friday.

Judith Field

The Onion Garden, 5 Seaforth Place, London, SW1E 6AB