ST BARNABAS: Gardens provide an oasis of calm throughout the year

Since we moved in to the new hospice almost five years ago, in 2011, our grounds and gardens have established well, and I thought you might like to know a few facts and figures about them.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Feb 2016, 10:00 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 00:59 BST
Hugh LowsonHugh Lowson
Hugh Lowson

There are over 27,000 different plants to ensure that the grounds look beautiful all year round.

In the centre of the building is the courtyard garden, known as the green heart of St Barnabas. This area is used by patients, staff, visitors and volunteers.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The idea was to create a densely planted area, with contrast between shape, form and colour.

There’s lots of foliage and volunteers have added bedding plants to give colour to the space.

At the front of the hospice there are stunning Hornbeam trees which form a circle around the spherical water feature.

These are being cut and allowed to grow together to create a hedge effect.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In our In-patient gardens, which were one of the most important aspects of the design of the building, there is sensory planting and landscaping to give a range of colour, textures and smells throughout the year.

As we move in to spring, and then summer, these gardens will look truly stunning.

They provide a real oasis of calm for our patients and their families and we always get compliments for the choice of plants on display.

The pond, at the left of the site entrance is already looking beautiful, especially with the sparkly layer of frost it had this morning.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Behind the pond sits the lavender maze which is maturing well, and reflects the ‘circle of life’. The lavender bushes will eventually reach a height of between 50cm to 100cm.

And of course, there is the meadow garden with wild grasses and flowers and other woodland planting using species native to southern England.

Thank you to our volunteers for continuously tending to the grounds and creating a beautiful environment for our patients to enjoy all year round.

---

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.

Related topics:GardensTwitterFacebookEngland