A top garden designer came to the hospice this week to oversee plants from her prize-winning show-garden being planted in the hospice garden.

Victoria Philpott – whose ‘Bess of Hardwick Border’ won a gold medal and best long border award at last month’s Chatsworth Show – worked alongside volunteers from Shakespeare Martineau law firm to landscape and plant the garden.

The firm, which sponsored the border at Chatsworth, generously donated 140 plants to Nottinghamshire Hospice for patients to enjoy.

The team worked all day to plant shrubs, perennials, herbs and even a tree in the hospice garden. This involved breaking up hard, compacted soil to prepare the ground.

Victoria said: “it’s been a fantastic experience. The team from Shakespeare Martineau have been absolute troopers, digging through difficult ground. We’ve created a lovely garden using the plants from my Chatsworth design. I couldn’t be happier with how it’s gone.”

Natasha Wibaut Corporate Social Responsibility lead at Shakespeare Martineau was among the gardening team. She said. “This is what being a responsible business is all about –  getting out in the community and giving something back. It’s been a fabulous day and an absolute pleasure to work with the hospice.”

The garden forms an important part of therapeutic activities at the hospice. Patients get involved in planting and gardening activities and enjoy being outdoors when weather permits. The garden also plays host to events throughout the year so members of the public can also enjoy the space.

Janet Hatton, who leads garden activities at the hospice, said: “We’re thrilled to see this prize-winning garden transplanted in our beautiful grounds. It’s a stunning and fragrant border full of purples, whites and pale yellows. There are poppies, peonies, salvias, and foxgloves plus a dogwood tree interspersed with herbs, thistles and grasses.

“We’re very grateful to the team from Shakespeare Martineau for giving us the plants and to Victoria and the team for working so hard to recreate the border here.”

This year Nottinghamshire Hospice has been chosen to take part in the National Garden Scheme for the second year running with an Open Garden Day on Sunday 4 August so there will be a chance for members of the public to view the border then. Read more here.