3 days ago
'We are incredibly touched' - stunning RHS award-winning garden unveiled in York
AN award-winning RHS garden has landed at a hospice in York.
Garden designers Deb Strachan from Teesside and Alison Walker from near Leeds have generously donated their silver medal-winning garden called Symbiotic Flow, to St Leonard's Hospice in Tadcaster Road, following its success at last week's RHS Wentworth Woodhouse Flower Show.
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The seven-metre-long border, sponsored by Vertigrow and Composite Prime, was awarded a silver medal by the Royal Horticultural Society at last week's show, where it was praised for its colour palette, naturalistic design and sustainability credentials.
St Leonard's Hospice in Tadcaster Road, York (Image: Supplied) Deb said: 'We chose St Leonard's because we wanted the garden to go somewhere care related, both of us having worked in the NHS before becoming garden designers, and Alison's friend who volunteers at the hospice suggested St Leonard's.
"When we visited, the team were so enthusiastic and friendly, it felt right for the garden to go there.'
The garden was carefully lifted and replanted in its new permanent home at the Hospice this week, giving patients, visitors and staff a calming space within the Hospice's existing garden, with a group of volunteers coming to help with the planting.
'It's an honour to receive an award for our garden, and even more meaningful knowing it will live on at St Leonard's,' said Deb.
'We designed Symbiotic Flow to promote peace and wellbeing, values that fit beautifully with the hospice's aims.
"It reflects the connection between people and nature, whilst also supporting wildlife. We'd like to thank the St Leonard's gardening volunteers, led by John, who helped prepare and plant the bed, and Billy from the facilities team who helped with transport and setting up the sculpture.'
The new RHS award-winning garden at St Leonard's Hospice (Image: Supplied) A sculpture inspired by natural spirals was donated by Composite Prime using recycled materials, which sits in the centre of the garden. York-based plant nursery Vertigrow on the A64 provided the majority of the plants for the garden.
Anne-Marie Roberts, director of clinical services at St Leonard's, said: 'We are incredibly touched by this generous gift, and grateful to Deb and Alison for thinking of us. Our gardens are such an important part of the care we provide to patients, their families and visitors.
"They offer peace and a connection with nature at a time when people need it most. We're thrilled to welcome Symbiotic Flow into our space, and very grateful to all those who came to help with the planting.'
Now a permanent feature of the hospice grounds, the new garden offers a peaceful place for quiet reflection and is open for anyone in the community who wishes to see it.
Wentworth Woodhouse in South Yorkshire where the RHS recently held their show (Image: Archant)
