GARDEN DESIGN
In addition, images of Florence
will be etched on glass windows
and echoes of her handwriting
will appear to be inscribed onto
the concrete walls to embody her
extensive writing in support of
healthcare reform.
In recognition of modern-day
nursing, a striking installation at
the front of the garden will display
the recently redesigned Nightingale
Nurse badge, denoting both her
enduring legacy and her ability
to inspire the next generation of
leaders in the nursing profession.
The garden is sponsored by the
Burdett Trust for Nursing - a charity
that supports nurse-led initiatives to
enable nurses in their professional
development and empowers them
to improve patient care. Chief
Executive, Shirley Baines, said:
Returning to RHS Chelsea after a
seven-year absence, Robert Myers
said:
“The theme of the garden is ‘nurture
through nature’, inspired by the idea
that the shortest road to recovery
leads through a garden. The garden
will celebrate Florence Nightingale’s
contribution to modern-day nursing
using architectural design and
modern, sustainable materials to
represent her enduring reforms in
hospital construction and vibrant
planting to highlight the importance
of green spaces for health and
recovery.
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It has been a wonderful challenge
and reflects my own passion for
creating contemporary landscapes
in historically and culturally
significant contexts.”
The garden will evoke key elements
of Florence Nightingale’s life: pale
concrete and timber will represent
the materials that she endorsed for
hospital construction; a reflecting
pool will reference her insights into
drainage and cleanliness; and the
plants in the garden will include
some found in her own pressed
flower collection as well as plants
with strong medicinal properties
which were used in the 19th century.
“Florence Nightingale was at
the forefront of modern-day
nursing and an active lobbyist
for reforms in healthcare. As the
architect of the modern hospital,
she recognised that the hospital
environment had a strong influence
on patient outcomes. While she
understood the importance of fresh
air, sunlight and green spaces to
wellbeing and recovery, she also
recognised the significance of the
architectural design and materials
used in hospital construction. We
are delighted that Robert has so
successfully encapsulated all of
these important elements into
our Chelsea garden through its
contemporary design, considered
planting and modern sustainable
materials.
Today, as a result of Florence
Nightingale’s pioneering work,
nursing is a highly skilled
profession that makes a significant
contribution to global healthcare.
Modern-day nurses are at the
forefront of progressive healthcare
provision and we support these
nurses in their professional
development to create new leaders
for the future.”
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