Hawk hired to keep pigeons at bay in South Bank’s Jubilee Gardens

As the first anniversary of the reopening of Jubilee Gardens approaches, a hawk has been brought in to ward off pigeons who would otherwise hinder the lawn maintenance programme.

Work currently being undertaken includes the laying of new turf and planting of new grass seed.

The Jubilee Gardens Trust says that an extensive overseeding programme will ensure that lawns are well established before the hot weather arrives, creating the conditions for a lush, green landscape to last through the summer.

Officially inaugurated by the Queen last October, the gardens are also being planted with new varieties such as bear's breeches, bluestars, gladioli, daylilies, iris, paeonias and alliums.

More evergreen shrubs have also been introduced to ensure year-round green cover, creating a solid spine of colour.

These will be grouped and condensed in small clusters to prevent visitors from walking across the beds, a problem which the trust says has caused significant damage to the gardens during the winter months.

Returfing, overseeding and the planting of new species began in late April and is expected to be completed by the second week of May.