Wellbeing Garden at Lewisham Hospital

During September 2023 I revisited the newly-built Wellbeing Garden, located at the rear of University Hospital, Lewisham.

There have been some exciting changes and the most notable is the large, beautifully-built, pergola that pulls the whole garden together. The pergola not only provides shelter but acts as a meeting place for various classes, including the Gardening Club. Some of the structure’s uprights are decorated with painted terracotta tiles, showcasing talented and creative individuals. 

The planting in the garden had matured, and, being autumn, the grasses were in their prime, growing alongside the flowering stars of pink Tulbaghia violacea.   I noticed a Snow Drop tree (Halesia diptera) and an additional small tree, Heptacodium miconioides, a species I had never seen before.  The tree was displaying clusters of prominent, white, flowers with an intoxicating perfume, so, for me, this was an exciting find.

The Kusama Food Growing Garden, tucked in at the rear elevation of a hospital building, has been established, with suitably raised beds, ideal as a sheltered and sun-loving space.   Creating a division between the two gardens is a row of pleached fruit trees, including Cox’s Orange Pippin Apple and Pyrus Communis ‘Conference’ Pear. 

Adam Frost, the designer, has designed a garden for everyone – the visitors, the gardeners and the wildlife.   Next time you are in the area, grab a coffee and spend time in this fabulous space.

Anna