Camino at King’s Cross goes green!

I was walking past Camino in Regent’s Quarter this afternoon – a much more pleasant pedestrian route from Wharfdale Road to the big Post Office than using the road, when I noticed some interesting activity outside our local Spanish bar and restaurant, Camino. Being nosy, I popped in and had a quick chat with Renata who explained Camino’s plans to soften their exterior using a range of appropriate and sustainable planting.

Three bespoke deep black galvanised steel planters are the first step. Plants were chosen for their long life and all are herbs, what could be a better planting scheme for a restaurant. It’s important to Camino to bring a feel of the Mediterranean to Cruz Del Rey (that’s King’s Cross to you and me), so both herbs that are at home in the Med and indiginous species have been selected. The result is a themed planting scheme with lots of variety and interest. So far this includes:

Basil, bay, coriander, sage, hyssop, curry plants, lemon balm, parsley, rosemary, and thymes.

Landscaper Roger Kilby takes care of all the planting in Regent’s Quarter. To get the most out of the planters Roger has used an ingenious system of hidden mona reservoirs placed on top of free draining material and buried deep in each planter. A pipe (see picture on the left) runs to the surface of each planter allowing water to be poured straight into the reservoir far below. Capillary action sends the water to the roots of all the plants; this way the plants can get the most from each drop of water.

The picture on the right shows Roger holding one of the reservoirs before it gets placed about two thirds of the way down in one of the planters.

Renata says that Camino hopes this is just the start. They understand the need to soften the hard lines of Regent’s Quarter whilst bringing an improved sense of relaxation for people sitting outside enjoying a cold beer and a little light tapas. Their investment for the three planters is about £2,000 in all, the benefit and enjoyment this brings to the area is priceless. So, on top of the really good selection of Spanish beers, fab wine list and wonderful food, now there’s even more reason to pop into Camino – the Spanish Quarter in King’s Cross. And next time you raise your glass for a toast whilst chilling in the thyme scented breeze, remember to thank Roger for the plants!