TWO “guerrilla gardeners” have started a movement to brighten up the streets with flowers.

Adam Johnson and Dan Mackey have been planting mini-gardens in the small area of uncovered soil around public trees.

The artist and graphic designer duo want others to do the same in their neighbourhoods and have launched the CommuniTree project.

Mr Mackey, 26, said: “CommuniTree is a community-based guerrilla gardening scheme aiming to improve small unused and unloved spaces under trees.

“We hope these mini-gardens can brighten streets, provide a talking point and encourage nature.

“We realised the potential in the small squares of soil that we walked past every day. It started with a few seeds and has grown to a passion.”

The duo say their best mini-gardens so far are around Rugby Road and Standford Avenue, in 30-year-old Mr Johnson’s home area of Fiveways, Brighton. Mr Mackey, of London but due to move to Brighton, said the idea is spreading fast. He added: “The nature of CommuniTree is to improve areas for plants in your own way by throwing seeds down on your commute, watering established patches or starting anew.

“Sharing your progress and joining in the conversation online is encouraged but we enjoy just knowing the idea is spreading.”

So far the project is self-funded but its founders hope to work with other groups to source and distribute materials.

Mr Mackey added: “We take pleasure in buying plants and flowers and gardening them for everyone to enjoy.”

He and Mr Johnson tend to work on the more complex gardens at night, introducing soil, clearing rubbish and leaving natural debris for wildlife.

He added: “Then every time we walk past we tend to plant something new. “It genuinely does make walking past and seeing your handiwork (and others talking about it) far more enjoyable, which is why we encourage everyone to join.”

Follow or Tweet to @JoinCommuniTree to share ideas and garden photos.