A quiet refuge in a busy world

Relaxation and rejuvenation . . . the Christie garden design that will feature at this week’s RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park

Christie embraces tranquility at Tatton show

GARDEN designers are busy putting the finishing touches to their plans for a Christie Hospital garden at the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park.

The world-famous cancer hospital scooped a bronze medal at least year’s show with an entry based on the courtyard garden at its radiotherapy centre at the Royal Oldham Hospital.

And this year, its eighth year of entry, it will have a Back To Back garden which “embraces tranquility”.

Designed by Elizabeth Daley to reflect the importance of a place of relaxation and rejuvenation for cancer patients, it sets out to offer a hidden refuge in a busy world.

Plants include those which have some medical or therapeutic qualities such as lavender, which is often made into essential oils and used in palliative care, and yew, which contains taxins used in cancer treatment.

The Christie takes part in the show to raise awareness of its world-class expertise and to urge members of the public to make donations.

Money raised goes to support the hospital, which is world-renowned for its research and cares for 40,000 patients a year, including 1,200 at Oldham’s £17 million radiotherapy centre.

The flower show takes place at Cheshire’s Tatton Park from Wednesday until Sunday.