Guerrilla Gardening: Mini Ecosystem Installations On the Streets Of Madrid Take Root

Drawing attention to the lack of 'usable' green spaces in the center of Madrid, <a href="http://www.luzinterruptus.com/" target="_blank">Luzinterruptus</a> took to the streets to protect and preserve the small weeds and plants that spring up in the cracks. The May 5th <a href="http://inhabitat.com/seed-sprouting-flower-grenades-explode-in-the-uk/">guerrilla gardening intervention</a>, called Implanted Nature, involved planting and protection 50 <a href="http://inhabitat.com/domestic-ponds-are-tabletop-ecosystems-for-your-home/">small ecosystems</a> in the harshest and greyest areas of the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/madrids-caixaforum-renovated-from-an-old-power-station-adds-a-lush-living-wall/">Madrid</a> city center. In some places they protected existing plants by covering them with portable greenhouses and in other instances they provided hardy cuttings in hopes they would take root and someone would notice.

In a symbolic way, Luzinterruptus wanted to protect and preserve the small timid plants that live in the cracks around the city.

Their outrage at the lack of usable green space in the city center was their impetus.

To protect them, the group covered the plants with small umbrella-like greenhouses to shelter them from pollution.

Small animals accompany the plants and live with them under their refuge, which is brightly lit with lights.

The group was also aware that they would find few instances of plants growing in the cracks, so they also added their own plantings.

Taking hardy cuttings and quality soil, they filled cracks and holes in hopes that the plants would take root.

These plants were also given animal friends for company and greenhouses for protection.

A guerrilla planting in a crack on the street accompanied by an animal.

The guerilla gardening intervention took place on May 5th at midnight from Malasaña to Lavapiés, leaving behind a total of 50 small ecosystems.

Luzinterruptus' goal was to draw attention to the lack of green space, to pay homage to the insignificant weeds that beautifully grow in unexpected places as well as to add even more green life to the city streets.

Hopefully the new plants took root and someone has noticed. In total the project took 5 hours, caused no damage and was noticed throughout the next morning.

Mini green spaces protected with greenhouse coverings.

A ecosystem installation on top of a grate with animal and dinosaur.