CAMHS Garden Update

The Volunteer weekend was incredible, we had over 30 volunteers over the two days to move 4 tonnes of soil conditioner, plant over 300 plants, some in huge 30 and 40L pots, and spread 4 tonnes of bark mulch.  Not to mention weeding all the paths and gravel areas and creating a pine cone play area.  Many hands made light work and the area was transformed.

 

Several local businesses donated materials and helped out too so thanks to Solstice Nurseries for supplying the additional plants at cost and Terra Foras delivering these and compost from Keenan Recycling, thanks to KernJ Designs for the hard work and for doing some deliveries.

 

An NHS approved contractor, CHAP, has been appointed to construct the outdoor waiting area after really getting on board with the project and working to keep the costs down.

 

It is amazing what can be achieved with our fantastic community!

Lovely Comments from a Client

We just received an email from a client this morning with some pictures of their garden about year after it was built.

Here are a few pics of how the garden looks now. Lots of plants now flowering for second time and yet others still to come. Notice I managed to squeeze in runner beans, lettuce, garlic and carrots into the raised bed. We like the way the conservatory is now an island in the garden.”

At the end is a before picture for reference

CAMHS Garden up date and Volunteer Days 24th and 25th June Announced

Much has been happening with the CAMHS garden project over the last few months.  We started off by planting up the raised bed by the entrance to bring a splash of colour and tenders have been requested for the waiting area from approved NHS contractors which should be received shortly. 

New planting at the Building Entrance



The main progress, however, has been the preparation of several borders which will create the areas for play therapy and staff wellbeing.  This was made possible by the generous donation of a day of labour by the landscaping firm KernJ (https://www.kernj.com/, https://www.facebook.com/KernjLandscapeDesigns).  Plant donations have also been collected, how brilliantly generous people have been, it will make a huge impact on what we are able to achieve in the garden.  We are currently setting a date for a volunteer planting day, when the donated plants along with those from Solstice Nursery will be planted into the prepared borders.  Keenan brothers have also generously promised to donate green waste compost to feed the soil and the Aboyne Scout group have been out collecting pine cones for the play therapy garden.

We have been totally blown away by the generosity of people to help make this garden a reality.  If you can spare a few hours on Planting Day (24th and 25th June) to come and help bring the borders to life it would be greatly appreciated. 

Volunteering for the Links Unit Garden and Therapy Space for Children and Adolescents

 

The dates for the Volunteering Day are now confirmed:

 

Saturday the 24th of June & Sunday the 25th of June

 

The Volunteering Day is between 9am - 4pm, although there is no requirement to stay all day, or volunteer for both dates. Snacks will be provided, but volunteers should bring water, suitable clothing for working outdoors, and sunscreen if necessary. Volunteers can bring any hand gardening tools they have but this is not essential, as we will have tools available.

 

On arrival at the address below, please report to Siobhan Cowie.

 

CAMHS

Links Unit

City Hospital

Park Road

ABERDEEN

AB24 5AU




PLay Therapy area

Virtual RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2020

At the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2016, I found the planting palette in this garden, the Husqvarna Garden by Charlie Albone, truly inspiring. I love the contrast between the deep, rich purple and lime green of the box. The planting is given a lightness by the addition of silvery leaves and white flowers. The copper used to line the rill compliments the colour scheme perfectly.

Virtual RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2020

This was my favourite show garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2016. It was designed by Jo Thomson for the Chelsea Barracks new development. I really liked the clean lines, with paving lawn and rill interacting. I also liked the detail of the paving and of course the beautiful planting.

Sir Harold Hillier Gardens and Arboretum

We had a fantastic visit to the Hilliers Gardens in the Summer, there is a huge variety of trees and beautiful perennial borders using unusual and different plants which will be cropping up in our planting schemes over the next few months.