A Year of Challenge and Growth in the Garden

This year has been both challenging and rewarding for every gardener, with unprecedented drought conditions testing our skills.  It reminded us of nature’s resilience and fragility, and the importance of constant care to keep the garden thriving.

In spring, we heavily mulched the beds to improve soil health, retain precious moisture, and suppress weeds. Regular deadheading helped prolong flowering and conserve plant energy. The dry weather reinforced how vital consistent maintenance is for the garden’s survival.

For patients, their visitors and staff, the garden offers a welcome contrast to the hospital environment.  The scale and flow of the garden is designed to invite movement through their own outdoor space, offering places to sit for reflection and connection with nature. Surrounded by protective hedges, towering rustling trees and smaller, carefully chosen species, and diverse planting, it provides a nurturing space for both people and wildlife. 

We promote contrast and biodiversity through rich and varied planting schemes, including a wildflower area flowing from the drought-tolerant ‘dry river bed’ garden.  Beds and borders are also filled with pollinator-friendly plants and, at this time of year, we leave seed heads, stems, and fallen leaves to support wildlife with food and shelter and to enrich the soil through to next spring.

Even in winter, when much of the garden rests, our volunteers remain hard at work, committed to maintaining and evolving this special space for patients, their visitors and staff – whatever the future changing weather may bring.