The Stroke Association’s Garden for Recovery was presented on main avenue at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May 2024.
With a focus on wildlife and sensory experiences, the intention of the garden was to create a space that would allow visitors to take a breath and enjoy a personal connection with nature after the devastating impact of stroke.
Four majestic Pinus sylvestris trees, rescued from a forgotten nursery field were the framework for the garden, while colour, scent and the sound of water were there to support soft way-finding for those with visual or mobility impairments. Interconnected pathways through a contoured landscape were designed to represent the difficult, individual and non-linear road to recovery and walls built from hemp blocks and finished with tactile lime render articulated spaces to rest and be with loved ones. A clay formed wildlife pond and stream offered a soothing auditory dimension to the garden and a bridge across the stream was a metaphor for the mental, physical and emotional connections that have to be rebuilt after stroke.
Sustainability was at the heart of the garden’s design, incorporating innovative low-carbon materials, circular principles, and a focus on supporting wildlife and biodiversity. Hemp featured prominently in walls and paving, continuing to absorb CO₂ beyond harvesting, while lime render further sequestered carbon. The pond and stream were key features designed primarily to support wildlife, and permeable surfaces absorbed surface water, preventing runoff. Zero-waste commitments included the flower show’s first-ever liner-free pond in modern times, made from puddled clay. UK organically grown plants were chosen for their resilience in a changing climate and their ability to support pollinators. Taxus baccata hedging and Pinus sylvestris and Pinus mugo trees enhanced air quality and noise reduction. The garden was shortlisted for the RHS’s first-ever Environmental Innovation Award.
The garden included a series of chairs that were of bespoke design by Olivia Gonsalves.
In the summer of 2024, with additional support from Top Soil and More, a redesigned version of the garden was created for the Stroke Unit at Chapel Allerton Hospital, where it provides much needed respite for stroke survivors, their families and carers.
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The garden was sponsored by Project Giving Back in support of Stroke Association.
Download the plant list here.