Hundreds of plants grown in recycled fruit juice drums

The planters have been created by local landscape consultants (uncommon) and commissioned by Waterloo Quarter BID.

The fruit juice barrels are intended as low-maintenance sustainable alternatives to hanging baskets.

"The planters are small-scale but the intention is for them to eventually populate the whole area," said Helen Santer, chief executive of Waterloo Quarter BID.

"Our ambition is to make the area greener and more bio-diverse – creating a more environmentally sustainable and pleasant place to live and work.

"In the long term, by improving the green infrastructure in Waterloo and South Bank, we are helping to provide many social, economic and environmental benefits for local residents and businesses."

Hundreds of buddleia, daisy, honeysuckle and ivy plants were placed in the barrels in early November.

The plants chosen are described as attractive 'urban weeds' that can stand a greater degree of heat, shade, lack of water and urban pollution than other species.

"Some of the plants are climbers so will eventually cover whole facades to achieve a green wall effect.