HE is a man you may recognise from his Gardeners’ World debut on TV last year.
But Gardeners’ Question Time regular Ashley Edwards’ full-time job is horticultural therapist at Horatio’s Garden in the grounds of North London’s Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, where he is also head gardener.
This magical place provides respite, care and education for people who are struggling with serious spinal injuries.
And Ashley has been kind enough to tell me how the power of gardening can help to nourish both body and mind.
He said: “The garden allows time and space for patients to process what’s happened, because it’s a big life change.”
“It is wheelchair accessible and everything is at eye level so you feel immersed in the garden.
“When you have a spinal injury sometimes it affects your body temperature, so here we provide lots of shade.
“And we have plants that attract insects and birds, so there are things to look at, an extra layer of interest.
“The pathways, like the beds, are nice and curved, flat and gentle, so people who are new to their chairs can get around easily.
“And there’s colour and scent all year round — it’s really important to engage all the senses.”
As a horticultural therapist, Ashley is also able to teach patients all about the joys of gardening.
He said: “When you’ve had a spinal injury you might be in the mindset where you think, ‘Oh, I can’t do all the things I used to love any more’.
“So it’s really great to be able to show people new skills or hobbies that they are able to do in an adapted way. And you can show them they can continue to garden, if that was their passion.
“It’s about looking to the future. If you sow a seed today, you’re thinking about when you’re going to harvest it. And that gives people hope. Lots of people end up here after cycling accidents and so they are often quite angry — whether it was someone else’s fault or their fault — and being in the garden allows them to just breathe and be outside.
“If you want to have those thoughts, you can have them on your own and it just helps you process everything that’s happened.”
There are eight Horatio’s Gardens around the country.
YOUGARDEN is offering Sun readers 20 per cent off everything on its website until August 31 to help raise funds for Horatio’s Garden.
From everything you buy, it will donate 20 per cent of all sales.
Founder Peter McDermott said: “YouGarden is happy to support such a worthy cause, which provides a vibrant sanctuary within the NHS.”
Just use this link yougarden.com/HORATIO20 and the offer code HORATIO20 – or call 0844 502 0050* quoting offer code HORATIO20
KEEP your plants watered in the heat with this Balconniere Trough, £37.99, from The Range – or get a £10.49 Stewart Garden version from Scotsdales.
Q: CAN you tell me what this is? It has started to grow in my flowerbeds and is now popping up everywhere in my garden.
LINDA CAIRNS, via email
A: This is Great Willowherb. It’s a perennial and considered a weed by some.
It’s a wildflower that likes damp places and it’s good for pollinators but it does cause a huge matted root system as it’s spread by rhizomes, which can disrupt surrounding plants.
THE Harrogate Autumn Flower Show takes place at Newby Hall, Ripon, from September 13 to 15.
Staged by the North of England Horticultural Society (NEHS), the show attracts more than 30,000 visitors, showcasing the best in garden produce and flowers.
Taking centre stage will be floral displays, delicious produce, expert gardening advice and competitions.
The Incredible Edible pavilion will play host to the Giant Vegetable Competition and National Onion Competition with growers competing to beat last year’s world record-breaking 19lb 7oz onion to win £1,500 prize money and Guinness Book of Records entry.
There will also be a range of hands-on fun for young visitors as well as access to Newby Hall’s adventure garden.
ONE lucky gardener will win an autumn gardening bundle from Husqvarna worth over £500.
It includes the Aspire PE5-P4A pruning saw and 120iBV leaf blower, both with a battery and charger.
Visit thesun.co.uk/PRUNERCOMP to enter, or write to Sun Pruner Comp, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP. Include name, age, email or phone. UK residents 18+ only.
Ends 23.59GMT 07.09.24 T&Cs apply.
