Power to the patients

Horatio’s Garden

Charity Horatio’s Garden creates nurturing and accessible gardens within NHS spinal injury centres. They have six gardens across the UK providing sanctuaries for patients and a place to experience horticulture and art therapy. In 2020, acclaimed designer Tom Stuart-Smith joined the illustrious list of design talent that has worked with Horatio’s, and the London and South East garden was opened in Stanmore. horatiosgarden.org.uk

TOM STUART-SMITH, LANDSCAPE DESIGNER

The existing site at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore allowed the creation of two garden spaces that present totally contrasting atmospheres for patients. So in some ways, it offers two gardens in one.

The first is a space for people to be more socially active in. Planting in this garden has an emphasis on warm colours, exotic textures and evergreens to provide interest throughout the year. Benches and loose arrangements of furniture, combined with a barbecue, provide opportunities for living outdoors and meeting new people during the difficult period of recovery.

The courtyard garden, in contrast, is a space for contemplation