Garden of Compassion by Tom Hoblyn

Bridgette Macilwaine
May 24
3 min read

Updated: May 26

Collaborating alongside passionate and creative individuals as part of the planting team for Tom Hoblyn’s UK Hospice Garden of Compassion for Chelsea Flower Show 2025 has been a fantastic experience.

From the bright light of dawn to the fading glow of dusk over the Chelsea grounds, the team spent long hours from 7am-8pm most days immersed in the creation of the garden, transforming Tom Hoblyn's vision into the Mediterranean-inspired sanctuary. Hospice gardens offer vital spaces that support healing and well-being for patients, families, and caregivers, and grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute to a garden which holds such meaningful purpose, designed for Hospice UK and supported by Project Giving Back.

Working on a Chelsea garden is a brilliant opportunity to expand your knowledge and meet other like-minded individuals, our brilliant planting team included Harriet, Amanda, Lilly, Siobhan, Lilly, Carmen, Harry and myself.

Planting reflections:

Tom’s garden is definitely a favourite for planting combinations, featuring carefully selected climate-resilient species suited to Mediterranean temperatures. A tapestry of soft silvers, deep and olive greens against the pops of colour from the Poppies, Adonis, Marrubium and the Lupins, against the soft swaying Hordeum grasses added a delightful vibrant layer to the planting scheme. One of my favourites included Malabaila aurea, with tiny vivid yellow flowers and the most surprising beautiful seed heads, resembling green roses, formed of small heart shape elements.

Another central point to the garden was the inclusion of aromatic plants engaged the senses, and enhanced the garden's restorative ambiance with the use of Salvia aromas, Spartium junceum, thyme and Rosa 'Sally Holmes'.

Hard landscaping: The beautifully crafted dry-stone walls by Tom Trouton defined the spaces, along with the vibrant bright coloured wall created by Guy Valentine, which were designed to compliment the large textural boulders and sculptural oak benches crafted by artisan Mark Tungate, which flowed between the rooms, creating moments to pause and reflect, and the beautiful textural bowls dotted throughout the garden were created by Thea Thompson.

Sustainability:

Reflecting a commitment to environmental responsibility, sustainability was an essential principle in the garden's creation, with materials being sourced within a 50 mile radius of its future home at St Cuthbert’s Hospice in Durham. Reclaimed elements included the stone for the dry stone walls, the water bowls adorned with oyster shells from local fisheries and the benches crafted from fallen oaks.

Teamwork:

The creation of the Hospice UK Garden of Compassion was a brilliant demonstration to collaborative effort and meticulous planning. Designer Tom Hoblyn worked closely with a dedicated team, including Project Manager Peter Harket, Landscape Contractor Mark Whyman and the nursery team at Hortus Loci, to bring the vision to life. Early planning and layout sessions at Hortus Loci nursery involved mapping out the garden's layout, ensuring accessibility for hospice beds and wheelchairs, with Hospice UK experts providing guidance and feedback to accommodate patients' needs and access.

The "Garden of Compassion" captured Tom’s dedication to creating spaces that heal and inspire, with it’s relocation to St Cuthbert’s Hospice ensures that its legacy will continue, providing a lasting haven, a garden offering a therapeutic space, fostering comfort, peace and connection, support healing and well-being for patients, families, and caregivers.

To read more about the garden and Hospice UK, head to hospiceuk.org