Chelsea: The BUPA Garden

This one was a feast for the eyes.....quite different from the green and white themes in the other gardens which caught the judges eye. It was difficult to photograph the structure of the garden because there were lots of people in it, including the designer Cleve West, and I'd rather not show people if I can help it.

The RHS website describes this garden as " The value of gardens in the health care sector is becoming increasingly important, and The Bupa Garden was inspired by Bupa’s global commitment to creating garden sanctuaries for care home residents. It is designed to illustrate the individual approach that the company takes in providing health and care, while highlighting its international coverage and leadership as a provider of specialist care for older people.
A key element of the garden is the use of features that make it particularly appropriate for care home residents who have dementia. The garden’s main focus is a large spherical sculpture of textured concrete, which symbolises the organisation’s global values. The garden also contains a soothing water feature, and the paths and planting schemes embrace the needs of people with dementia.
The garden features a number of plants that are used in medicine and the planting structure is made up of several large Amelanchier lamarckii. Carpinus hedging divides the garden and provides different routes by maximising the use of space. A mixture of perennials, roses and grasses provide colour, texture and scent.
The garden serves as an example of how a small courtyard might be turned into a stimulating, but safe environment for residents and their carers.
After the show, the garden will be relocated to a care home.

There is also a planting list here http://www.rhs.org.uk/chelsea/2008/pdfs/BUPAPlants.pdf

and a super little planting plan here http://www.rhs.org.uk/chelsea/2008/pdfs/BupaGardenPlan.pdf

Alongside this garden was a stall for Bupa, and there was a prize draw to win a day with the designer Cleve West in your own garden, to make suggestions as to how to make it better.....wow! Needless to say I filled in a form. I can hope! (I bet he'd love a day on the Isle of Wight, and I know he is an allotment lover....!)