Garden team plans to let peace grow
ACOURTYARD at East Cheshire Hospice is to be transformed into a floral wonderland for patients and their families.
Garden and landscape professionals are joining forces with volunteers to create a horticultural haven called Serenity Garden.
The eco-friendly project, co-ordinated by garden designer and maker Ben Darlington, is already under way and will be well advanced within weeks.
The open patio space at the rear of the hospice was enclosed once the new Proseal Wing was built last year.
The two in-patient wards back on to the courtyard inspiring Ben, owner of The Wild Gardener, to create a yearround retreat for patients and visitors.
Ben said: “I found out the average length of stay on a ward is two weeks, so felt we’ve needed a garden where there’s something going on every single week of the year.
“That gave me the idea of perpetual renewal to create a sense of optimism.
“An outside area for patients and somewhere families coming to see loved ones can reflect.
“Every month if you came out and looked at the garden you’ll find something coming into bud, so it’ll be like life surging through.
“Once it’s finished we’re going to do some calendars for the wards showing not just what’s out this month, but what to look for.
“It’s that optimism that even in the bleaker months of the year you can come out and see things just beginning to push through.
“The summer as a garden designer is quite easy, but in the winter months we’ve got fragrant shrubs, and shrubs and trees with red and white bark.”
The design is also part of the hospice’s green initiative. Ben said: “Plants are by definition a renewable resource, compared to so many landscaping materials like paving from another country.
“The emphasis is on sustainability and with a deep layer of moist compost, it won’t need watering nearly as much.
“The paving uses recycled materials from the old patio, so we didn’t have to bring in any more stone.
“Much of the garden is herbaceous grasses and plants.
“It’ll be lovely from day one with a wow factor this summer, but will get even better and in five years will really feel mature.
“The shade does make the garden more of a challenge.
“The gardens are managed by a fantastic volunteer team, but not adding too much to their to-do list has been key.”