Alex Costa at his floral wall

• I SYMPATHISED with the views of Angela Humphery, who abhorred the proliferation of plastic, and horror of horrors, the sight of artificial flowers adorning various shop frontages in Hampstead village, (This ‘plastic alley’ doesn’t impress me, July 6).

They may be an expedient way to provide some quick colour and draw attention to the shop, but is it the right sort of attention?

Angela says that not only are we are all trying to reduce the use of plastic, but many would also describe imitation greenery as looking cheap and nasty after the initial glance.

There are some excellent examples of good horticultural, rather than plastic, grooming, throughout Hampstead, but there is one example which shows very attractive success.

Alex Costa has decked the walls of his Heath Street Kitchen restaurant with fresh, naturally growing plants and flowers. His efforts are to be admired. He has not used plant boxes that obstruct a pavement, or traditional hanging baskets, but the slimmest of green walls.

One day without water, and the beautiful plants will die to a sorry mess. Instead the wall flourishes because of assiduous personal and staff attention. Can others create and maintain such a thing of charm?

CLLR LINDA CHUNG
Hampstead Town Ward