Gardeners at the Eden Project are to set a steep slope ablaze with colour in the biggest and boldest planting scheme since it opened 15 years ago.

The high-profile Bright Sparks project will see a precipitous bank replanted with a stunning array of Chinese windmill palms, red hot pokers and golden, purple and red grasses, aiming to transform the view and enhance Eden’s identity as a premier contemporary global garden.

An acre of ground opposite the Core education centre has been cleared in preparation for the mass planting.

This will include what Eden hopes will be the start of a nationally significant collection of Kniphofia – better known as red hot pokers.